Police have found and fined a driver snapped blocking traffic at Mount Martha on Australia Day
The driver responsible for an “unbelievably stupid” park that sparked a police investigation has been identified.
South East
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A “very remorseful” limo driver who was snapped blocking traffic near Mount Martha hot spot The Pillars has been fined.
Mornington constable Travis Perkins said the driver was issued two infringements for parking a stretch Chrysler on the wrong side of the Esplanade on Australia Day.
Police were alerted to the illegal park after a photo was posted to social media.
Constable Perkins said police had spoken to the anonymous photographer and confirmed when the picture was taken.
He said the company the driver worked for had then informed police who had been behind the wheel.
“The driver was very remorseful and the matter is now closed,” Constable Perkins said.
The Leader can reveal that the driver was in a 1800 Limo City car when the offence was committed.
The Braeside company said it had co-operated with police and been advised not to speak further about the incident.
According to the 1800 Limo City website the business offers an “exquisite experience” including Mornington Peninsula wine tours and hen’s and buck’s celebrations.
PARKING BLITZ CATCHES HUNDREDS IN ONE DAY
More than 250 parking fines have been issued in a single day on the Mornington Peninsula.
Council parking officers issued 261 infringements on Australia Day as police vowed to track down the driver of a limo who blocked traffic after brazenly parking on the wrong side of the road.
A whopping 59 fines were issued in a small pocket of Mount Martha including 30 on the Esplanade and 20 on Kilburn Grove.
Leader staff also witnessed two men fighting over a parking space near the popular Mount Martha South Beach Market and another motorist pulling a no parking sign out of the ground along Kilburn Grove.
Meanwhile, Mornington police are continuing their investigation into the identity of a limo driver snapped blocking traffic in a black Chrysler near The Pillars about 3.30pm on Australia Day.
The photo went viral after being posted anonymously to social media on Wednesday night.
On Thursday police urged the photographer to come forward.
“They’re not in trouble. We just want more information about the photo,” Mornington constable Travis Perkins said.
The Leader understands the photographer has since been identified and police are continuing their investigations.
In the 2020/21 summer the shire issued a total of 241 fines in the streets surrounding The Pillars.
PLEA TO IDENTIFY ‘DANGEROUS’ LIMO DRIVER
Police are urging the photographer who snapped an illegally parked limo to get in touch.
“They’re not in trouble. We just want more information about the photo,” Mornington constable Travis Perkins said.
The photo of the black Chrysler brazenly parked on the wrong side of the Esplanade near The Pillars at Mount Martha has gone viral since being posted to social media on Wednesday.
Some people commenting on the initial post have questioned if the photo was taken “illegally” by a motorist.
However, Constable Perkins said there was likely a reasonable explanation and police were more interested in tracking down the limo driver.
“We’re taking this very seriously,” he said.
“The way that car was parked was dangerous. It endangered lives.”
The limo was stopped on the wrong side of the road, near a blind corner on a busy, narrow road on the edge of a cliff.
It appears that the photo was taken about 3.30pm on Wednesday when Mornington Peninsula roads were jammed with traffic as people tried to get to the beach.
The parking manoeuvre sparked outrage from the locals.
“The arrogance and jeopardy to other motorists and pedestrians is quite alarming as this is one of the busiest part of the Esplanade,” one man posted.
“Aah money … it can’t buy you style, or wit, or imagination, or consideration, or compassion, or brains, or patience, or integrity.....but it can buy you a stretch limo and driver for three hours,” a woman added to the thread.
Parking around the cliff jumping hot spot has long been an issue for locals and authorities.
In summer hundreds of thrillseekers flock daily to the site to party on the cliff top and leap into the water below.
Visitors often clog nearby streets with cars, littering and damaging the environmentally and culturally sensitive area.
The council has tried a number of tactics to stop people visiting The Pillars, including a $150,000 temporary fence, but none have worked.
Late last year Mornington Peninsula Shire rolled out its first permit parking trial in streets close to The Pillars in response to complaints from residents.
