By Vanessa Chircop
WILLIAMSTOWN has been labelled the worst suburb to find parking in Hobsons Bay – despite having almost double the number of parking spaces than Altona.
Results of the council’s parking studies of the Williamstown and Altona Activity Centres has revealed that parking in Altona is adequate at present but scarce in Williamstown.
Hobsons Bay director planning and environment Peter Gaschk said the parking study on the Williamstown Activity Centre found there were 2857 car spaces.
Of this, the Ferguson St and Douglas Parade precinct had 1332 on-street and off-street car spaces and the Nelson Place precinct had 1525 on-street and off-street car spaces.
“A study of the Williamstown Activity Centre of Douglas Parade, Ferguson St and Nelson Place found a number of car parking issues, including the provision of additional car parking, extension of restricted car parking hours, signage of free and metered parking spaces and the impact of car parking on surrounding residential areas,” Mr Gaschk said.
The study backs up claims made by traders that parking in Williamstown is inadequate.
As reported by Star last week, Douglas Parade trader Joy Goodland said six shops have recently closed on Douglas Parade and Ferguson St. Ms Goodland said more needed to be done to help Williamstown traders who are losing business because of the lack of parking.
Mr Gaschk said a survey of the Altona Activity Centre found the 1591 parking spaces was adequate for now, but will exceed demand into the future.
“(The study) recommends key initiatives to manage parking in the short, medium and long term,” he said.
The study has recommended staff be encouraged to park on the outskirts of the activity centre to free up spaces for customers “and retain unrestricted parking in the vicinity of the Esplanade to provide long-term parking for visitors to Altona Beach.” Mr Gaschk said the council was currently preparing action plans to address issues raised in the Williamstown and Altona Activity Centres studies.
