Paid parking trials in new Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Niddrie streets

RAIL and tram commuters in three northern suburbs will be stung up to $10 a day under a six-month paid-parking trial. Find out where parking will now leave you out of pocket.

RAIL AND TRAM commuters in parts of Melbourne’s north will be stung up to $10 a day under a six-month trial of paid parking.

They will be charged $1 an hour, or $10 a day, to park in increasingly congested thoroughfares, most close to train stations and tram stops in Moonee Valley, under the council trial.

But the council has declared the trial isn’t about revenue raising.

Drivers will have to fork out $1 an hour between 6am and 10pm, or $10 a day under the trial starting early next year.

Penny Lane, Eddy St, Moore St, Mt Alexander Rd and The Boulevard in Moonee Ponds, Matthews Ave and Treadwell Rd in Niddrie and Woodland St in Essendon will be affected.

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Moonee Valley Mayor John Sipek said paid parking would address significant congestion concerns caused by drivers travelling to the municipality, particularly to park near public transport.

Cr Sipek said it would not affect local traders.

“A lot of people from outside the city come in and park all day and people in Moonee Valley can’t park near playgrounds with their kids or shop locally,” he said.

“This is not revenue raising, this is about getting equitable parking for our residents.”

The revenue raised after six months was expected to be $150,000, or $6250 a week.

It will cover the cost of installing parking technology and line markings for 174 spaces across eight locations.

Excess revenue will go towards pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Drivers will be slugged $81 for overstaying and cash and electronic payments including mobile payments will be available.

Cr Richard Lawrence said the $1 an hour charge was “fairly insignificant” when compared to other councils such as the Hobsons Bay and Banyule, which both charged about $6 an hour.

Puckle St traffic congestion is getting worse. Picture: Mark Wilson

TRADERS SLAM NEW PARKING CHARGES

Niddrie small business owner Rosemary Spiteri said parking machines would be “disastrous” for many traders.

“It will disincentivise people from shopping locally when they can go to a gigantic shopping centre and park free,” she said.

Shopper Sally-Ann Ahern said it was another knife in traders’ backs.

“The parking is so bad that I now go to Westfield/Northland/Highpoint,” she said.

“That council is so greedy. It’s pushing it’s shoppers/consumers away.”

Another shopper, Maria Ziogos, said the parking scheme was unacceptable.

“Our local strip shopping areas are great. Why ruin them?” she said.

“And why should we ratepayers have to pay more for living and shopping locally.”

Resident Eleanor Cuthill said it would also push people to look for free parking in already jam-packed residential streets.

Data shows there were 60,000 vehicles registered to Moonee Valley residents in 2011 but that figure is expected to hit 77,000 by 2026.

The only paid parking area managed by the council at present is Alexandra Ave at a rate of $4.10 per hour or $18 per day.

PAID PARKING WILL BE INTRODUCEDAT:

-Moonee Ponds Activity Centre on Penny Lane and Eddy St

-Moore St near Moonee Ponds station

-Mt Alexander Rd adjacent to Queens Park

-The Boulevard

-Matthews Ave and Treadwell Rd near the Keilor Road Activity Centre

-Woodland St next to Strathmore station

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