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Police dish out parking fines at 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track at Mt Dandenong

POLICE are reminding people to park legally at the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track after fining more than 20 people in a day.

n42kn836 1000 steps in Dandenong Ranges National Park increased popularity
n42kn836 1000 steps in Dandenong Ranges National Park increased popularity

POLICE are again reminding people to park legally at the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track after fining more than 20 people in a single day.

Belgrave Police’s Sergeant Mick Hall said the warmer weather was attracting visitors to the national park, but that many were “blatantly disregarding the signs”.

Sgt Hall at least 20 people were fined on Sunday, October 26, at the 1000 Steps.

As the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track grows in popularity, police continue to fine drivers for parking illegally.
As the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Track grows in popularity, police continue to fine drivers for parking illegally.

He said anyone caught parking in a no standing area would be fined $148.

Dandenong Ranges Visitor Centre volunteers Linda Nel and John Fitz Patrick have long warned about the dangers of illegal parking, with people walking across a busy section of Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd.

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Mr Fitz Patrick said the traffic was often heavy and cars drove at high speeds down the hill — a recipe for disaster for pedestrians crossing the road.

Upper Ferntree Gully resident Felicia Beaumont has also warned that illegal parking around the 1000 Steps was putting­ a whole street in danger.

The fire access road is used to get people off the mountain quickly, and give fire crews access to the Dandenong­ Ranges National Park in the event of a bushfire.

She said people who came to the 1000 Steps often blocked off the clearly marked fire access lane in Janiesleigh Rd, the street where she lives.

“If there was an emergency, it would make it very difficult­ to get off the mountain quickly,” she said.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/police-dish-out-parking-fines-at-1000-steps-kokoda-memorial-track-at-mt-dandenong/news-story/b9126bb243a9cebd195ee1ccb41c7876