Outcry as shopping centre cuts free time from three hours to 90 minutes

TRADERS, shoppers and councillors have slammed the decision to halve the amount of free parking time at an Oakleigh shopping centre, labelling it “pure greed”.

Oakleigh Central has cut the free parking time. Photo: Daniel Pockett

TRADERS, shoppers and councillors have slammed the decision to halve the amount of free parking time at an Oakleigh shopping centre, labelling it “pure greed”.

And in a double-blow to small businesses at the centre, employees are being forced to pay for parking for the first time while those working at supermarket heavyweights Coles and Woolworths go free.

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As part of a $5 million upgrade to its centre in the past two years, Oakleigh Central — which is managed by shopping centre giant Vicinity Centres — spent a large amount on its underground carpark.

But it has cut free parking from three hours to just 90 minutes.

Customers who spend $30 at Coles or Woolworths can gain an extra 30 minutes without charge.

Centre manager Anna Hickling defended the move, saying the intention was to stop those who weren’t using the centre.

“We understand that parking availability can be an issue in the broader Oakleigh area, but with just more than 650 car spaces at the centre, Oakleigh Central carpark is for the specific use of our customers and retailers,” Ms Hickling said.

But Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris said there was “very little consultation” ahead of the “disappointing” move.

“It’s pure greed,” he said. “It will only end up pushing people away.”

“(Free parking for three hours) is good enough for Chaddy (Chadstone Shopping Centre), why not here.”

Shoppers and traders were only told of the new parking arrangement two weeks before it started. Photo: Daniel Pockett

A new ticketless parking system started on May 28.

A trader at Oakleigh Central, who did not want to be named, said the crux of the matter was staff paying $4 a day for parking.

“It might not seem like much to some, but $20 a week is $1000 a year,’’ he said.

“(The centre) is going to make about $200,000 a year over something that was free already.

“The other thing is it’s very favourable to Coles and Woolworths.

“The small businesses are getting hammered here.”

The trader, whose shop has been at the centre for more than 20 years, said shoppers would stop coming because of the 90-minute limit.

“We must be the only shopping centre in Australia that you pay (for parking) after 90 minutes,” he said.

Oakleigh state Labor MP Steve Dimopoulos said he understood it was a private shopping centre but charging for parking was a disincentive for people to visit Oakleigh.

“And that’s the last thing we want,” he said. “Traders need to be supported.

“Visitors needs to be able to go about their business in a reasonable time and not be charged for the pleasure.”

Ms Hickling said consumer data showed most people who visit the centre stay less than an hour and would therefore not pay for parking, which was “a significant consideration”.

“All-day parking will continue to be free every day for disability permit-holders and we have 12 parking bays for seniors who can park for free,” Ms Hickling said.