Furious Oakleigh traders start petition against parking time limit changes nearby Eaton Mall
Hundreds of furious traders and shoppers near Oakleigh’s thriving Eaton Mall have signed a petition against “disgraceful” parking changes made by Monash Council. Find out why they’re angry.
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Furious Oakleigh traders and shoppers have signed a petition against “disgraceful” parking changes made by Monash Council.
The petition, which was started by Councillor Theo Zographos and has racked up more than 400 signatures, calls on the council to reverse parking time limit changes, which has affected at least 13 car spots near Eaton Mall.
Parking spots on Atherton Rd, Chester and Portman streets had time restrictions changed in August from one hour to a mixture of 30 and 15 minutes.
Risk Bar owner George, who did not want his surnamed published, said the changes were “absolutely disgraceful”.
“I signed the petition as well, there’s already nowhere to park around here – it’s just ridiculous.” he said.
“As a shop owner, I can tell you it doesn’t take 15 minutes to order take away food, it can be up to half an hour sometimes.
“It will deter customers away and all the restaurants along here are already struggling because of covid, it’s just wrong.”
Cr Zographos said several traders were angry, saying there was a lack of consultation from the council.
“I was very surprised, I wasn’t aware of the changes at all. It didn’t come to a public council meeting, nor was there an email sent to me prior to the signs going up,” he said.
“I haven’t seen this much disappointment from local traders in a very long time,” he said.
But Mayor Stuart James said one of the key reasons for the parking changes was to support the elderly.
“The Kiss and Go zone will assist the elderly who need to get picked up and dropped off quickly nearby the activity centre, which prevents people from double parking,” Cr James said.
Monash Council chief executive officer Dr Andi Diamond said businesses received
two notices about the parking changes.
“The initial notification for the area surrounded by Station St, Portman St, Hanover St and Atherton Rd was circulated in early March 2020,” Dr Diamond said.
“There were 235 letters distributed to businesses in these areas seeking comments on the proposal to install a mixture of 30-minute and 5-minute parking restrictions on Atherton Rd, Chester St and Portman St.”
Dr Diamond said 10 responses were received from traders in the vicinity raising objections to the proposal.
“After listening to feedback from businesses, council changed the proposed five minute restrictions to 15 minutes.
“A second letter was then sent to all property occupiers in the same area, in July 2020 advising about the proposal to install a mixture of half-hour and 15 minute parking restrictions.”
She said the changes were made in response to the increasing need for short-term parking along these streets, in particular to allow for takeaway food pick-ups.
“The ability for people to support the business community in Oakleigh by buying takeaway meals, food and coffee during this time has been important and prompted these changes.”
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