By Sophie Aubrey
A new 24/7 super-gym that flouted a rule to limit its members is causing parking chaos on nearby streets, as security guards are brought in to manage queues outside the building.
Many locals are furious at Monash City Council for granting a planning permit to gym chain Derrimut. Problems started almost immediately after the company launched its Oakleigh East club, in Melbourne’s south-east, late last year.
People line up outside the new 24/7 gym in Oakleigh East.Credit: Joe Armao
Owners of local businesses say customers and staff have been unable to park as gym members seize any spot they can find, parking haphazardly on nature strips, driveways and privately owned spaces, and intimidating others.
The traffic has spilled onto neighbouring residential streets, with cars clogging up once-quiet roads.
Derrimut is popular among bodybuilders and known for its large-format gyms with cheap memberships that can cost as little as $5 a week.
The Oakleigh East branch enrolled more than 14,000 members despite a condition from the council that there could be a maximum of only 180 patrons inside the gym at one time.
The new gym’s popularity is frustrating locals.Credit: Joe Armao
Annette Davis, manager of adventure store Snowgum, is part of a group of about 20 traders who say they would have opposed the new gym if they had been adequately consulted by the council. At least one trader was considering leaving the area.
“We’re frustrated we didn’t know about it,” Davis said.
Monash Council took Derrimut to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after an investigation found up to 440 members were being let inside the gym at one time – more than double the 180 people allowed.
However, tribunal member Dalia Cook made an interim order in May allowing the gym to have 295 members inside the gym between 7am and 6pm and 440 between 7pm and 7am.
Resident Reynie Hafner is frustrated over cars lining the streets.Credit: Joe Armao
Monash Mayor Nicky Luo said the council disapproved of the decision.
The gym has hired security guards to manage patron numbers at peak times, meaning members can queue to enter.
Cook said in her judgment: “One practical challenge for the gym operator is that when it sought to restrict patron numbers in the past, this led to unruly behaviour by some patrons.
“Documents filed on behalf of council referred to at least one attendance by Victoria Police.”
After the gym opened, a childcare centre next door hired security and installed bollards to protect its parking spaces, as parents were unable to drop off and pick up their children.
The council tried to resolve the issue by introducing new parking restrictions, including limits of 30 minutes in front of some businesses and 90 minutes on residential streets. But some locals say this only created new problems.
Davis said: “Our customers now are distracted, running in and out, moving their cars while they shop.”
Fellow trader Sally Smith, of Australian Lighting, said she was disappointed by VCAT’s decision and that the gym should not be allowed to have more than 180 members inside at any time.
“We’re getting let down by the council,” she said.
Credit: The Age
Davis also said the area was now riddled with turfed protein bar wrappers and drink containers: “I’m over it.”
A Derrimut Gym spokeswoman declined to answer specific questions from The Age due to ongoing VCAT proceedings.
“Derrimut Gym is committed to continuing to work productively with Monash City Council to ensure that any alleged issues are properly and expediently resolved for the benefit of local residents and businesses,” she said.
The matter will return to VCAT for a final enforcement order in November.
Reynie Hafner, who lives a seven-minute walk from the gym, says she and other neighbours are frustrated by cars lining their streets and having to pay for parking permits.
“We’re far enough away. You wouldn’t think we’d be impacted, but we are,” she said.
Hafner, who is a member of another 24/7 gym only 200 metres from Derrimut, questioned why the development was ever approved.
“Everyone is really pissed off. I blame the council completely,” she said.
The situation is winding up gym members too. The club has received many negative reviews for overcrowding and lack of parking.
Alana, who asked that her surname not be used, said she was seeking a refund for her 12-month membership.
She said members who wanted to work out during peak times faced queuing for 30 to 60 minutes. Once inside the gym, she said, there were more queues for equipment.
“It’s so crowded. You can wait 30 minutes for a squat rack. I’ve never experienced anything like that before,” she said. “Everyone I know has had a parking fine and I felt sorry for adjoining businesses.”
Luo, the mayor, said she understood that the higher-than-expected number of patrons had affected locals. She said the council did not anticipate parking to be a problem, as the plan included 111 car spaces, half of which are shared. The gym was not required to build new parking.
“A significant issue here has been the ongoing non-compliance of the business with their planning permit.”
The council said it advertised the planning application in 2022 and received no objections. Fifty-three complaints about the gym and parking have been received since the club opened.
The gym has submitted an application to permanently increase its patron numbers.
The tribunal encouraged gym management to explore implementing a booking system and block the purchase of new memberships.
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clarification
This article has been updated to make clear that half of the 111 car spares are shared.