By Charlene Gatt
THIS is what Footscray’s CBD will look like with 69 new paid parking ticket machines.
Maribyrnong City Council has put out a map, detailing its proposed expansion of paid parking machines, which will cover about 700 car parking bays in central Footscray.
The expansion would mean around 1350 parking spaces in Footscray would fall under paid parking since the council introduced the measure in 2004. The move was part of its parking management strategy to alleviate the frustration of trying to find a car park in Footscray’s CBD.
Residents with a valid parking permit will not pay for parking in their street.
The council said its Parking Overstay Detection System had detected changes in parking behaviour since paid parking was introduced, with motorists more likely to leave parking spaces within allocated times.
“Studies have shown this (paid parking) can enhance retail activity by attracting more visitors to the area,” a statement on the Maribyrnong City Council website reads.
Meanwhile, paid parking has gone up 10 cents to $1.10 per hour between 8am to 6pm.
The council is currently seeking comments on extra paid parking machines in Footscray’s CBD, whether street paid parking should be one or two hours, and taxi ranks, loading zones, disabled parking bays and 15-minute parking spots.
Comments can be made online at www.maribyrnongparking.blogspot.com or email@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
One resident to already comment online suggested that council keep parking free around school zones, while another said the area would become an expensive place to shop and dine with more paid parking.
Submissions close 27 July.
