By Charlene Gatt
SHOPPERS are coming back to Footscray in droves three months after the parking cameras were turned off.
Maribyrnong City Council figures show a marked decrease in the number of fines given out between March and May this year since the cameras have been removed compared to the same time last year.
Maribyrnong City Council gave out 20,260 parking fines between 1 March and 31 May last year, dropping to 14,079 fines for the same time this year.
Grant Miles from the Footscray Traders Association said traders had enjoyed a welcome boost in sales since Easter, despite widespread reports of a retail slowdown.
“The last four to five weeks in my shop in Footscray have been the busiest for at least a year,” Mr Miles said.
“There is no other reason that I can put it down to other than the parking cameras are gone and people are coming back to Footscray. Other businesses around me are saying very similar things.”
The council’s general manager of infrastructure and engineering Ian Butterworth said council officers were now enforcing parking laws in the areas previously covered by cameras.
“Council has no data to indicate whether illegal or unsafe parking practices have increased following removal of the cameras,” Mr Butterworth said.
The council is currently working on a proposed expansion of paid parking meters across Footscray, with a report due out in coming months.
