Parkers bewareBy Melissa Grant

A PARKING officer will crack down on illegal parking across Cardinia, targeting shoppers who park illegally in disabled spots and time-restricted zones.
Civic leaders voted on Monday night to employ the officer as it emerged that the shire had issued an average of just 10 parking infringements a week over the past three months.
Councillors refuted claims that the introduction of a parking warden would be a revenue-raising exercise, saying the intention was to improve traffic flow and stop shoppers parking illegally.
“You can park for free if you abide by the sign,” Cr Collin Ross said.
“Those who don’t read the signs will struggle and will get parking fines.”
Cr Ross said he was fed up with seeing one-hour parking spots “dominated” by the same cars during the day, and policing time restrictions would get more traffic in and out of Pakenham’s CBD.
He said many able-bodied shoppers were also taking up disabled parks outside the post office, telling disabled people they would “only be five minutes”.
“These disabled parks are there for people who have genuine problems,” Cr Ross said.
Cr Ed Chatwin said there was a similar problem in the hills where residents continually ignored disabled-parking signs.
“Elderly people are (also) frustrated they can’t get close parks,” he said.
Cr George Blenkhorn said the employment of a designated parking officer was a sign of changing times in the area.
He said people could no longer expect to have a car park where they wanted and for however long they required.
“Long-term parking people will have to park away from the shops, which they have not been doing,” he said.
Cr Ross said the council had only four officers to enforce all local laws. General manager (corporate services) Neil Thorpe said those officers had to prioritise jobs, which had resulted in a low number of parking infringements issued in recent times.
Mr Thorpe said shoppers would be given plenty of warning about the pending parking crackdown. He said it was likely warnings would be issued for first-time offences, but there would be “no grace period” for those illegally parking in disabled spaces.
Cr Brett Owen said there needed to be some leniency when it came to parking at railway stations where spaces were hard to come by.
Mr Thorpe said it was a balancing act, and the council would consider the needs of commuters and the amenity of residents when issuing fines.
The enforcement program will focus on council-owned properties and on streets.