A Sunshine resident says there is a parking shortfall in the CBD, with almost 100 Sunshine Plaza car spaces that were allocated for construction workers not being used.
Motorist Ivan Guglak told Star Weekly he copped a $91 fine for accidentally parking in a spot reserved for construction workers in the plaza’s underground carpark.
The council currently leases 99 car places for workers, but Mr Guglak believes tradies are parking elsewhere. This is leaving designated spots empty, he said.
“These tradies are parking on the street and in other parking bays – not in these designated paid for permit areas. They’re using up public parking areas because it’s more convenient,” Mr Guglak said.
“The council is quick to collect additional money, but why not spend some to provide signage that doesn’t blend in with the surrounds but clearly highlights at entry [that] there are permit parking zones.
“So while we residents struggle for parking in Sunshine, a third of the plaza carpark is converted to permit parking and sits empty.
“And when we, the ratepayers, park in these empty bays, the council double dips and issues parking infringement notices to the tune of $91.”
Council infrastructure and environment director Neil Whiteside said while workers had been instructed to park in the allocated spots, there was no restriction on them parking elsewhere.
“Adequate signage, which meets the legal designated standards required for council to enforce restrictions, has been posted throughout the parking facility and at both entrances,” he said.
“Temporary public car parks have also been created on George Street to minimise the impact on parking during construction.
“Council appreciates the patience and understanding of carpark users and other visitors while these works are under way.”
Mr Whiteside said it was too early to say what kind of time limits would be set on parking in the new multi-deck carpark, which is part of the $52million community and civic centre development. These limits would be part of a management plan due in mid-2016.
