By Tate Papworth
Brimbank council is promising better enforcement methods as it looks for a more co-ordinated approach to tackling the city’s parking woes.
The council adopted its first parking strategy during its August meeting and is confident it provides a way to better manage parking across the municipality.
The strategy was formed following a community consultation period, where residents highlighted several major issues.
Better enforcement of parking breaches was one of the most common concerns.
As part of the strategy, the council will better monitor areas where restricted parking is in place. It will also develop a plan to guide staffing requirements, enforcement procedures, use of technology and the selection of priority areas for monitoring.
Mayor Lucinda Congreve said the strategy provides a co-ordinated approach to parking.
“Parking is a big issue for most councils and communities,” she said. “It’s important council manages parking in a fair manner. I’m sure everyone would agree parking should also be accessible and affordable as well as sustainable.
“The strategy will also help us to decide what type and amount of parking is needed.”
Issues raised by the community and outlined in a council report included minimum parking requirements for new developments, the poor quality of public transport options in the region and parking around railway stations.
The council says parking around train stations is a state government responsibility, but says it plans to write to relevant ministers to discuss parking around train stations and overall transport planning across the City of Brimbank.
