Parking doubts

By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM traders are concerned that a crackdown on illegal parking will drive shoppers away from the town’s retail heartland.
They are not convinced it is the right time to introduce more parking officers, saying motorists already have enough parking issues to contend with.
Councillor Collin Ross last week called for the council to consider employing the parking wardens as part of a six-month trial, amid concerns too many shoppers were ignoring timed and disabled parking zones.
Pakenham Business Group president Michael Porter said while the crackdown would help improve traffic flow in the CBD it might have a negative impact.
Mr Porter said shoppers would already be struggling with car park closures and additional traffic because of construction of an $80 million retail complex. “I understand what the shire is trying to achieve in getting the rotation going,” he said. “But I’m not sure this is the right time to bring it in.”
Toy Kingdom owner Rod Ferguson was concerned that people would avoid shopping in Pakenham if parking officers began fining shoppers left, right and centre.
“People will think once they’ve been there an hour they’ll get slapped with a fine,” he said. “It’s good to say, OK, the next person will come along but I hope it doesn’t force people away.”
Sportspower Pakenham owner Richard Fromhold said parking officers should be lenient on shoppers to begin with.
“My view is that it’s something they should monitor to start with,” he said. “If they want to be vigilant on policing it from the word go they will just turn people away from the town centre. They need to put warning notices on cars first without booking them.”
If the proposal is approved, parking wardens will work from 9am to 6.30pm in the shire’s larger towns, particularly Pakenham’s main shopping area.
Cr Ross said the introduction of more parking officers would at least be revenue neutral. Councillors will weigh up the pros and cons of the proposal at the general council meeting in October.
>>> Should the council crackdown on illegal parking in Pakenham’s CBD? Let us know what you think by emailing melissa.grant@starnewsgroup.com.au or writing to the Gazette at PO Box 9, Pakenham, 3810.