Parking sensors to nab shoppers at busy bayside strip

One of Melbourne’s busiest shopping strips could be getting parking sensors to nab more overstayers — and traders aren’t happy.

Drivers shopping in Church St will have to be on their toes if parking sensors are approved by the council.

One of Melbourne’s busiest shopping strips could be getting parking sensors to nab more overstayers.

Bayside Council is pushing ahead with plans for in-ground parking sensors in Church St Brighton, but frustrated traders fear it could be “pure revenue raising” if all aspects of the plans aren’t approved.

The council has shelved a plan to build a multistorey car off the jam-packed Church St precinct, and will instead seek feedback from residents on installing electronic sensors to track and enforce time limits.

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Officers are also investigating real-time parking signs, with both initiatives costing a total $318,000.

The council had toyed with the idea of a carpark on council land in nearby Wells and Black streets, but a feasibility study proved inconclusive.

And while Church Street Traders Association president Kieran Cromie is desperate to solve the parking debacle, he said unless real-time signs were installed, the sensors seemed like pure “revenue raising”.

He said it was also frustrating the council was still seeking feedback, when parking had been a problem for years.

Church St, Brighton could be getting electronic parking sensors.

“Traders are concerned because there’s mounting frustration from (residents) who are driving around for considerable amounts of time looking for a park,” he said.

“If council is willing to spend the money, (sensors and data) will help convince the council we need to investigate the multi-deck.”

Acting environment, recreation and infrastructure director David Smith said the council would also collect data on occupancy rates, average parking times and turnover.

“This data will inform council’s future carparking policy approach … in and around Church Street and elsewhere,” he said.

Cr Rob Grinter previously said the plan would bring the council “into the 21st century”, but adding parking in Wells and Black Sts was “not dead yet”.

“Each spot costs about $30,000 to produce, so we want to make sure if we build new spots, we’re building the right amount in the right locations,” he said.

A report will come back to councillors in June.

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