Paid parking at Henley Square to go ahead after mayor overrules plan for two free hours
THE mayor of Charles Sturt council has used her deciding vote at a fiery meeting to quash a plan to limit paid parking in Henley Square that would have given motorists two free hours.
CHARLES Sturt Mayor Angela Evans has used her deciding vote at a fiery meeting to quash a plan to limit paid parking in Henley Square that would have given motorists two hours free.
Residents at the meeting on Monday night erupted in anger after Ms Evans cast her vote to oppose Henley Ward Cr Jassmine Wood’s plan — to allow two hours free parking — after a split vote of 6-6.
“I believe most of the leadership are in agreement that there should be paid parking and timed parking,” Ms Evans told the chamber.
“The period of that timed and paid parking is a point of contention, which has not be properly explored, and I believe it is the will of the chamber to have a further conversation.”
A person was ejected from the gallery during the fiery debate.
Paid parking at two public car parks — next to Joe’s Kiosk on the Esplanade and next to the old Evida site — came into effect on Monday, August 14.
An online petition condemning the system has collected almost 8000 signatures.
Last week, the council was forced to fix two $30,000 parking metres at Henley Beach after vandals poured no-gap filler in the coin slot.
The council’s general manager, Bruce Williams, had said he was “disappointed” in the vandalism.
The paid parking around popular Henley Square restaurants and cafes is angering residents and traders who say it will drive business away from the seaside strip.
Cibo Henley Beach owner Maurice Dichiera collected about 100 signatures on a petition against the paid parking, to present to the council.
The cafe’s manager, Sophie Panpena, said the measure would “hurt businesses”.
“People don’t want to pay for parking because they have never had to pay,” Ms Panpena said.
An online petition has hit 600 signatures.
Clarence Gardens resident Rod Horner, 75, said he visits Joe’s Kiosk most days on 40 weeks of the year since 2008, spending about $5600 on coffees and food.
The cafe’s manager Antoinette Napoli said she was “not surprised” the machine was vandalised.
“It’s been very quiet here for the second week in a row so it’s definitely affecting us,” Ms Napoli said.
“It’s not surprising, and we don’t recommend vandalism, but the locals and everyone else are angry about it.”
Deputy Mayor Robert Randall said the vandalism was a “reaction to change and something new”.
The move has been met with anger from residents and traders, who say it will scare off business.