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Casey Council forced to withdraw nature strip parking fines after outcry

PARKING inspectors have fined at least 15 motorists in a Cranbourne housing estate. But now Casey Council have launched an investigation and withdrawn the penalties, after furious motorists said they had no choice but to park illegally.

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PARKING inspectors have fined at least 15 motorists in a Cranbourne housing estate.

But now Casey Council has withdrawn the penalties and launched an investigation after furious motorists said they had no choice but to park illegally.

Casey Council is also withdrawing all infringements issued on the street while the probe is underway, and apologised to the residents affected.

Sophie Lang had been visiting her boyfriend in the estate when she was slapped with a $159 fine for parking in a “no standing” zone.

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While admitting she had done the wrong thing, she said most of the street was a “no standing” zone, many townhouses had only a one-car garage and the narrow street left little space for anyone to park.

“It’s not just in Cranbourne West, this is everywhere where property developers are just building townhouses without enough parking,” Ms Lang said.

Inadequate parking spaces and narrow roads are issues that have plagued many new developments in growth areas.

“It just doesn’t make sense that both the project developers and council believed these plans would be OK,” Ms Lang said.

“If it’s a problem now, what’s it going to be like 10 years down the track?

“It’s already a logistic nightmare.”

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But Casey Council spokesman Gerard Scholten said the development was approved in accordance with State Government planning controls.

“The developer took advantage of what’s allowable under those laws,” Mr Scholten said.

Fran Cusworth, spokeswoman for Planning Minister Richard Wynne, said the government was encouraging quality developments, close to public transport and other services.

“We’re investing billions boosting train services to Cranbourne — building the metro tunnel, upgrading track and signalling, and removing dangerous and congested level crossings along the line,” Ms Cusworth said.

Mr Scholten said there was a large overflow carpark at the entrance to the street, which was available for all residents and visitors to use.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/nature-strip-parking-fines-withdrawn-by-casey-council/news-story/c0d5c79933cbf5650144eff7594e78cb