From Monday, May 27 East Gippsland Shire Council will begin monitoring the two-hour parking limit in the car park north of Nicholson Street Mall, Bairnsdale, commonly known as the Woolworths car park.
The car park, between Nicholson and Francis streets, has signs advising it is two-hour parking, but as it is private property, council could not enforce this restriction without permission from the owners.
Council’s Community Laws Coordinator Bill Petersen said many people had used the car park for all-day parking.
“Council conducted a parking study in December 2014 which showed a significant proportion of the available parking supply, 48.9 per cent, was used by people parking for five hours or more,” Mr Petersen said.
“While it remains a private car park, some of the title holders have given permission for council to enforce the parking restriction as they can see the benefits of ensuring the car park is available for customers, rather than staff members of businesses in the area.
“Enforcing the two-hour time limit with see a turnover of vehicles, meaning more shoppers will be have access to nearby businesses and is likely to have a positive flow on effect to other businesses in the CBD.”
Mr Petersen said the new parking measure was designed to achieve a normal vehicle rotation throughout the day and make it easier for customers to do business.
Council’s Authorised Officers, after an initial familiarisation period, will issue infringement notices to drivers overstaying the time limit from Monday, May 27. Currently, the fine for parking longer than permitted is $81.
“Our objective is not to raise revenue through parking fines but to ease parking pressures and provide a fair go for shoppers and business owners.”
Mr Petersen said the restrictions will apply between 9am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.
People who need all-day car parking should use the all-day car park off Service Street, between Macleod and Dalmahoy streets.
The car park was built to take pressure off the CBD and nearby streets and can accommodate more than 100 vehicles.
