Ticketless paid parking at Eastland in Ringwood set to be activated from June 1

IF YOU’RE planning a day of retail therapy at a major shopping centre in Melbourne’s east, be warned: you could be up for a $30 parking fee.

Emma-Jayne Schenk

2 min read

May 30, 2016 - 9:46AM

Maroondah Leader

Stage two has opened at Eastland and now shoppers will need to pay for parking. Picture: Steve Tanner

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PAID parking will go live at Eastland in June, amid strong opposition from shoppers.

General manager Steve Edgerton has confirmed the ticketless parking system will be activated from June 1 but all parking will stay free during a two-week introductory period up to June 14.

Under the paid parking plan, the first three hours will be free and people staying longer will be charged anywhere from $3 to $30, depending on their stay.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Will paid parking stop you from shopping at Eastland? Tell us below

People visiting Town Square restaurants and Hoyts Cinema will receive an extra free hour and parking with entry after 6pm is also free.

Staff will pay $4 a day and are required to park in a designated area.

The plan has been met with criticism from shoppers, with many saying they will shop elsewhere if required to pay.

Last year a Maroondah Leader poll of more than 2500 people showed overwhelming opposition, with almost 80 per cent saying they would not shop at Eastland if they had to pay for parking.

“Granted three hours should be ample but this is a slap in the face to the local Ringwood residents who for months have endured the noise and disruption of this development,” one said.

Another said his shopping days at Eastland would cease.

“Plenty of choices elsewhere in the area with free parking,” he said.

But Mr Edgerton said paid parking aimed to deter commuters and visitors who parked at Eastland and accessed off-site facilities.

He said based on analysis, it was predicted less than 10 per cent of guests would pay for parking.

“Guests are not required to stop on entry to wait for a ticket to be issued ... and when leaving the car park, guests who have spent less than three hours in the centre can proceed straight to the exit where a camera will recognise licence plate details and the gate will automatically open,” Mr Edgerton said.

He said those required to pay could set up an online profile at eastland.com.au to authorise automatic credit card charges, or could pay at machines in the lobby.

EASTLAND PARKING CHARGES

From June 1, Eastland’s rates for standard parking:

After 6pm: free

Disabled parking permit holders: free

0-3 hours: free (cinema patrons get an extra hour free on validation of cinema ticket)

3-3.5 hours: $3

3.5-4 hours: $4

4-4.5 hours: $5

4.5-5 hours: $7

5-5.5 hours: $9

5.5-6 hours: $12

6-6.5 hours: $15