Glen Eira and Monash school parents nabbed near short-term parking

Parents in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs are paying a hefty price for illegal school pick-up moves — but they’ve slammed the rules as unfair.

Innessa Shifferson was fined after parking outside allocated short-term school car spaces. Picture: Josie Hayden

Division has erupted between parents and residents over parking fines dished out across “kiss and go” carparks at Melbourne schools.

Residents in southeastern suburbs including Clayton, Oakleigh and Mt Waverley lashed double-parking parents for causing school time traffic chaos, but mums and dads said it was “impossible” to collect their primary school kids within the carparks’ two-minute time limit.

In Elsternwick, mother-of-two Innessa Shifferson received a $91 fine for “parking longer than indicated”, and other parents in Mulgrave and Clarinda were nabbed for parking outside allocated car spaces while waiting for their children.

Both parents and residents said a lack of adequate parking spaces to cater for growing school populations fuelled congestion amid commuters parking on school pedestrian crossings.

Regulations set out by various local councils specify a two-minute time limit at express drop-off and pick-up car parks outside school gates.

Fines average between $90 and $100 for remaining parked longer than the allocated time.

Ms Shifferson said she was distressed when she received her fine at her son’s primary school while trying to wave him down after school several weeks ago.

“He’s young, and if he can’t see me in my car, then I need to go get him. I just thought it was unfair because I was trying to be quick,” she said.

Glen Eira Council has been slammed for issuing parking fines in Kiss and Go areas near schools. Picture: Josie Hayden

Glen Eira City Council planning, place and sustainability director Ron Torres said drivers who did not abide by the Kiss and Go car park limits forced other motorists to drive more dangerously.

“Council receives many complaints about illegal parking from schools, parents and residents,” he said.

“Not complying with the time frame may seem like a minor lapse but it can lead to unsafe behaviour by other motorists who may be forced to ‘double-park’ as there is no available space to pick-up or drop-off passengers.”

One father whose child attends St Andrew’s Primary School in Clayton South said council workers were “notorious” for issuing fines in the area.

Another parent said: “The council sits in driveways and on the side road and fines people. It’s ridiculous”.

But Mt Waverley resident Helen Vickery, who lives near Pinewood Primary School which backs on to the Pinewood Shopping Centre precinct, said “atrocious” parking and driving by parents was a danger to schoolchildren.

Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy says managing traffic congestion during the school day is divisive among parents and residents.

“The school has grown so much but doesn’t have the space to cater for the extra traffic,” Ms Vickery said.

“The before and after school parking by parents is atrocious. Double parked, parking on the pedestrian crossings in pinewood shops, U-turns in dangerous spots. The list goes on.”

Monash mayor Stuart James said parking rules were enforced to keep children safe in busy pedestrian areas, but said car parks with longer time limits were in high demand during peak school times.

“‘Kiss and go’ zones should not be used if parents have a need to leave their vehicle and/or enter the school grounds, and other parking opportunities exist around schools to accommodate this, acknowledging that there is high demand for these longer-term spaces,” he said.

Parents Victoria chief executive Gail McHardy said managing traffic congestion during the school day has remained divisive among parents and residents who each prioritised school kids’ safety.

“It has always been a hot topic especially when a school receives complaints from local residents if parents and carers are obstructing driveways in the morning or afternoon,” she said.

“Local councils and school community representatives should have the opportunity to work together on local solutions, however motorists and pedestrians need to abide by the local council rules.”