Frankston Bayside Shopping Centre: Calls for free two-hour parking rejected as CBD struggles amid COVID-19
A move to introduce two-hour parking at an “uncompetitive” Frankston shopping centre has been shut down by its operator.
South East
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Calls to introduce free two-hour parking at a Frankston shopping centre have been rejected amid fears the region’s economy will not survive the pandemic.
Free parking at Bayside Shopping Centre is vital to help rebuild the economy, the Committee for Greater Frankston says, but Vicinity Centres has confirmed there are no plans to slash prices.
The Leader understands a number of tenants in the centre have applied for rental reduction however a Vicinity Centres spokesman did not answer the Leader’s questions relating to rent.
“Bayside does not offer free public parking, we provide a clean and secure place for our customers to park when they’re visiting us, and a safe car park for our retailers coming to work at our centre,” the spokesman said.
“We have no current plans to alter the parking structure.”
The committee has been pushing for improved parking and public transport options in the region for several years, with fears the CBD will be abandoned as shoppers migrate to the $160 million Karingal Hub redevelopment.
In October a Leader investigation uncovered more than 60 ground level businesses closed, vacant or boarded up in Frankston’s CBD, with 32 ground level shopfronts and offices out of 80 closed, vacant or boarded up on Nepean Hwy between Davey and Beach St.
Frankston City Council introduced two-hour free parking in off-street car parks in Frankston last July, but committee president Rod Evenden said the change was needed at the shopping centre as well as the CBD.
“Two hours of free parking CBD-wide would encourage shoppers to return to our city and restore the confidence of Bayside traders cautious about renewing their leases,” Mr Evenden said.
“Shoppers have warmly received Karingal Hub shopping centre’s $160 million redevelopment with its ample and free undercover carparking.
“The new Karingal Hub development leaves Bayside Shopping Centre and the CBD blatantly uncompetitive.
“It’s a heavy burden and our CBD needs some relief.”
In November it was revealed the centre’s standard parking fee had risen from $1 to $1.50 for the first hour and $10 to $15 for daily parking representing a 50 per cent price hike since July 2015.
The cost of parking in the centre for three to four hours rose by 75 per cent from $4 to $7 over the same period.
Mr Evenden said parking in Frankston was among the most expensive across Melbourne.
“This was a good initiative to help businesses being hurt by the coronavirus,” he said.
“Too much money has been creamed off through parking for our city to thrive … pricing is clearly out of whack with all other shopping precincts in Victoria.
“Bayside staff need affordable all-day parking, and shoppers expect two hours free like at other places they visit.”
