Gowanbrae residents say they are being targeted as parking pickle escalates
Narrow streets and a lack of parking options have pushed residents in Gowanbrae to approach their council. Now, they believe they’re being targeted unfairly.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Residents in Gowanbrae are fed up with their lack of parking options, and to make matters worse believe they are now the subject of targeted parking fines.
According to homeowners, on-street parking is at a premium following council restrictions and planning permits not allowing for multiple-car households, meaning residents are forced to park between the footpath and road.
People who have lived in the suburb for up to 15 years and never received a fine are reporting copping multiple fines a week in the past month, with Sunday mornings a prime time for them being issued.
John Hughes, who has lived in Gowanbrae for 15-years, said because the streets were so narrow, it made it impractical to park on the road.
Mr Hughes said it helped with traffic flow if they parked between the footpath and road.
“By the letter of the law, this parking is illegal, however, the law is meant to allow for increased pedestrian safety, better traffic flow and access for emergency vehicles,” he said.
“By parking in this manner, residents are able to improve two out of three of those, and at the worst break even with the other.”
Mr Hughes said he believed the council had been sending parking inspectors late on Saturday nights and early on Sunday mornings to issue parking fines.
“We have received three of those over the last three weekends, each around 9am on Sunday morning,” he said.
“At this time, traffic is at a minimum and therefore Moreland cannot claim to be undertaking this for any reason other than a cash grab.”
Moreland acting city infrastructure director Greg Gale said: “All areas of Moreland are patrolled for compliance with parking regulations to provide access to shops, facilities and resident parking and to keep emergency vehicle and bus access, clearways and school crossings clear and help traffic to flow smoothly.
“Residents of and visitors to Moreland have a responsibility to park legally at all times to ensure safe and clear access for emergency vehicles, buses and pedestrians and to help traffic to flow smoothly.”
Moonee Valley Council has had similar issues with Mascoma St which is a narrow roadway, but Mr Hughes said they had placed an embargo on issuing fines for people parking on nature strips because residents were making an effort to reduce obstacles on the road.
“Moreland, however, have chosen to repeatedly fine residents who are trying to improve traffic flow and road access, while in no way limiting pedestrian access,” he said.
Another resident told the Leader a community group had approached the council asking for parking bays on nature strips, but they had been told residents would have to foot the cost.
“The residents’ group went back to the council and said it wasn’t fair and council should provide adequate parking,” they said.
It is understood the cost per household for a parking bay on a nature strip would be $5000.
Moreland city futures director Kirsten Coster said the council had received the request for semi-indented parking bays.
“Such works are not part of an annually budgeted program as they are not an investment typically made by council and as such there are no funds available for the installation of semi-indented parking in any location in Moreland at this time,” she said.
“Council has previously made a one-off investment of $300,000 on transport improvements in Gowanbrae, including the creation of 77 indented carparking bays to improve the movement of buses through the estate.”