Drivers at crowded South Morang train station carpark forced to park illegally

ILLEGALLY parked cars clogging up no standing zones at a train station temporary car park in Melbourne’s north are being hit with almost $8000 in fines a day.

Police are dishing out fines to hundreds of drivers parked illegally at South Morang Station. Picture: Kylie Else

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ILLEGALLY parked cars clogging up no standing zones in the South Morang Station temporary car park are a “disaster waiting to happen” according to police, who estimate they’re dishing out close to $8000 in fines a day.

However, commuters say they are left with no option but to park illegally as there is a major shortage of car parking spaces at the station.

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Greensborough Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Lou Tucci said the illegally parked cars were causing major safety issues and it was only a matter of time before something serious happened.

“It’s a big complaint, we’re out there issuing easily 50 fines a day, enough is enough, it’s time to stop,” Sgt Tucci said.

“The problem is so bad that firefighters were unable to reach a burning car in the carpark because their access was blocked.

Police are sick of countless illegally parked cars causing safety issues at the temporary car park across from the South Morang Station. Picture: Kylie Else

“Once I had to cut a wire fence so a motorist — who had parked legally — could exit the car park.”

Sgt Tucci said cars were being damaged or sideswiped daily because there was little space to manoeuvre.

He said something needed to be done quickly because valuable police resources were being tied up fining offenders.

“I can understand why people are parking illegally, but they have to think of alternatives because it can’t go on, we don’t want to be out there every day fining people,” he said.

Commuter Mohammed Kanchuala said he copped two $155 fines for illegally parking in no-standing zones at the temporary car park opposite the station last week. He said every spot in the car park had been filled by 7.30am

Drivers are forced to park illegally because of a shortages of spaces. Picture: Kylie Else

“I don’t think it’s fair because by the time I arrive at the station there is nowhere to park and I have to get to work,” Mr Kanchuala said. “For $155 I may as well drive to the city.”

Mr Kanchuala said he knew he was breaking the law, but he felt he had no other choice.

“(Public Transport Victoria) and the council should be doing more to solve the problem, I should be able to catch public transport to work if I want to,” he said.

Whittlesea Council city transport director Nick Mann said while the council could advocate to Public Transport Victoria, it did not have a direct role in providing more parking for commuters.

A vacant lot next to the temporary car park is owned by Westfield, who was contacted for comment.