COMMENT

RESPONSE

Additional parking spaces are required especially on Market days

The South Melbourne Market is a vibrant shopping area that attracts a large number of shoppers on market days. While Council advocates for the use of sustainable transport modes (walking, bike riding and public transport), it is understood that not all people can use sustainable transport modes and that some need to drive. Recent occupancy studies show that all day ticket parking that exists within South Melbourne is underutilised. There is a mixture of parking restrictions surrounding the Market that caters for resident and customer car parking. The Market rooftop car park is made available to local businesses and employees on non-market days.

Lack of all day parking options for businesses and business parking permits

On-street parking is a limited resource within the municipality. Over 88,000 people work in the municipality. City of Port is visited daily by large numbers of visitors and tourists. Demand for parking in the City significantly outstrips supply. Walking, bike riding and public transport are preferred (sustainable) transport modes in inner city municipalities. It is understood that not all people can use sustainable transport modes and that some need to drive. Recent occupancy studies show all day ticket parking is underutilised. Council, through various planning processes tries to encourage developers to provide adequate vehicle and bicycle parking on their premises in order to reduce on-street parking pressure.

During business hours of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday it is important to maintain a turnover of the limited parking spaces to provide for customer car parking. The price mechanism and time restrictions support each other creating turnover critical for the success of business.

Difficulty with finding car parking for visitors/guests during weekdays 

Vehicle ownership in the City of Port Phillip keeps increasing. 81.6% of dwellings now own one or more vehicles (Census 2011). Over 88,000 people work in the municipality. Port Phillip is visited daily by large numbers of visitors and tourists. On street parking is a limited resource within the municipality. There is a greater demand for car parking permits than the supply of on street spaces. These are the main reasons why Council is conducting this review.

Lack of enforcement

Council regularly reviews its parking enforcement practices to keep up with the ever growing demand and changes in technology in order to provide the best possible service to our community. Council’s main focus is on the enforcement of safety related restrictions, such as No Stopping Any Time and Clearway Zones, residential streets and shopping strips. Introduction of new technology such as mobile cameras may be an option towards improving real time data reporting, and improving parking enforcement.

Market trader activities such as double parking, loading and unloading pallets cause safety concerns

Council endorses work safe and public safe practices. Any illegal and unsafe practices should be reported to the Market Management in the first instance or to Council’s Assist hotline on  920 96777.

Improve payment options for parking machines

Council is currently reviewing options for machines that enable other payment options than just coins.

Request for more resident only parking

Existing permit zones are located adjacent to residential areas. The neighbourhood is a mixture of residential and commercial premises. During business hours of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday it is important to maintain a turnover of the limited parking resource to provide for customer car parking. Out of business hours, car parking is generally unrestricted and provides for residents, their visitors and visitors to the area.

Request to widen the use of parking permits

Resident/Visitor Parking Permits are solely intended to assist residents and their visitors in parking within the vicinity of their home. They cannot be used to park when visiting shops, public areas or place of employment. Please see link to learn more about parking permits. http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/parking_permits.htm

Vehicle ownership in the City of Port Phillip keeps increasing. 81.6% of dwellings now own one or more vehicles (Census 2011). On street parking is a limited resource within the municipality. There is greater demand for car parking permits than the supply of on street car spaces. A fee for parking permits was adopted by Council in October 2000 to reduce the number of parking permits in circulation. Council is working towards lessening the reliance on cars by promoting sustainable transport modes (walking, bike riding and public transport) and installing on-street car share bays. If you require more information on car share, please see http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/car_share.htm