Melbourne Polytechnic introduces paid parking to pay for lighting and security upgrades
A Melbourne TAFE has defended its decision to slap angry students with paid parking at all suburban campuses, revealing how it will spend the fee revenue.
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Melbourne Polytechnic has introduced paid parking across five campuses, with the money to go towards security lighting upgrades.
But the move has angered some, who say students should not be the one to foot the bill.
Melbourne Polytechnic mature age student Julia Irwin studies at the Fairfield campus and said that the sudden change in parking would affect students in more ways than one.
“The introduction of paid parking is really unfair on students who are already putting up with increased fees with some struggling to buy meals in the canteen,” she said.
“Most students come into campus three to four days a week, the cost adds up.”
Parking is capped at $4.80 a day for CellOPark Australia App users, or $5 for others.
Melbourne Polytechnic Executive Director Basil Papageorge said the parking fees were introduced to help cover the cost of security upgrades.
“After careful consideration, Melbourne Polytechnic recently introduced what is considered
to be affordable and moderate student carparking fees to assist with the costs of ongoing
carpark maintenance requirements and planned extensive security lighting upgrades,” he said.
But he would not answer questions on how much the works would cost.
In a statement provided by the TAFE, the introduction of paid parking also aligns with its sustainability plan which encourages students to take public transport and car share.
But with the Fairfield campus a 2km walk from the closest train station, Ms Irwin said it was “neither safe or accessible” to access the campus via public transport.
“Most students carry heavy equipment, catching public transport is not really practical,” Ms Irwin said.
“I need to be able to park on campus, I couldn't manage coming by train.
“There is really no choice for students but to drive.”
Paid parking is required at the Epping, Fairfield, Greensborough, Heidelberg and Preston campuses from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with a parking officer patrolling.
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Melbourne Polytechnic would not say if paid parking would remain at the end of the project works.