Montmorency, Macleod parking meters scrapped; set for Rosanna station

PAID parking meters have been scrapped in Montmorency and Macleod after a huge community backlash about the proposed plan.

PAID parking meters have been scrapped in Montmorency and Macleod after Banyule Council received community backlash about the proposed plan.

However, the meters will be installed around Rosanna station.

Petitions were launched when the council announced it would install meters in Binns St, Montmorency, and sections of Somers Ave, McNamara St, Aberdeen Rd, Erskine Rd and Birdwood Ave, near the Macleod Village precinct.

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Traders and residents affected collected 317 and 1413 signatures respectively.

Heidi Crundwell from the Macleod Traders Association said they were very disappointed with the process but pleased with the change of heart.

“We do understand the pressure of parking around stations and balance council is trying to make but we feel other options needed to be explored, including community buses,” she said.

“We are really trying to push for something like a bicycle facility because there are very limited other options for people to travel to Macleod, whether it’s to shop or catch the train.”

Rachel Salvitti from Espresso 3094 and Chris Bekiaris from Monty Fresh are delighted at the scrapping of paid parking meters. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Eltham state Labor MP Vicki Ward said the petition highlighted how unhappy people were.

“We need to make it easier for people to get public transport, not harder,” she said.

Rosanna Cricket Club president Michael Langford said the proposal was a “concern for the club”, which is based at De Winton Park.

“Given we start (juniors) at 4.30pm, to have volunteers and parents required to pay for parking for an hour on those nights did not seem like a good way to reward them,” Mr Langford said.

“Our concern is people would park there all day … and we won’t have parking for our members.”

While the council agreed not to install the Montmorency and Macleod meters “at this stage”, it will install paid parking in Beetham Pde, between Hillside Rd and Prospect roads, 12 months after the Level Crossing Removal Authority completed the train upgrades.

Ten two-hour and 12 four-hour short-term parking spaces in Ellesmere Pde, Rosanna between Invermay Grove and Lower Plenty Rd, will be installed.

In 12 months, the council will review the timed parking bays, along with De Winton Park, and consider paid parking meters Monday and Friday, 8am to 4pm.

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