By Charlene Gatt
FOOTSCRAY’S controversial parking cameras could be switched off as early as 1 March after an independent review found they have driven down unlawful parking practices to an acceptable range.
Maribyrnong City Council will consider the review’s findings at tonight’s council meeting, and will vote on an officer’s recommendation to switch off the cameras next month.
The council will also vote to retain the right to switch them back on, and to put out a proposed expansion of paid parking in Footscray for consultation.
“Although there is limited ‘evidence’ that parking cameras are in fact having a negative impact on retail activity, it is clear that retail conditions within Footscray are challenging and that small impacts have the potential to cause real hardship to traders and retailers,” a council report reads.
“The ongoing use of cameras is considered to be disproportionate to the current situation, although there is a risk that parking compliance may deteriorate in the future should cameras be removed.
“Any risks of a return to unacceptable levels of illegal parking can be mitigated through continued monitoring of the hot-spot areas and a range of remedial actions taken by the council.
“While a return to traditional parking enforcement would currently deliver satisfactory parking and traffic management outcomes for Footscray, the possibility of reinstalling cameras should be retained if parking behaviours demonstrably deteriorate in the future.”
An exclusive Star report last year revealed 29,025 parking infringements were detected by the parking cameras between 1 January and 31 October 2010.
