Residents and local businesses will benefit from increased turnover of car spaces thanks to changed parking conditions in Altona.
From Monday 1 May, 195 parking spaces between Sarros Street and Millers Road will become paid parking spots. This includes 129 angled spaces closest to Pier Street, which will be subject to three-hour parking restrictions, while the remaining 66 spaces will be all-day parks.
To ensure local residents have access to parking on their street, time restrictions will also be introduced on residential streets near the beach. These restrictions will only apply between November and March.
Residents have been informed about how to apply for parking permits that will exempt them from these time restrictions on their street, and from having to pay for parking. They are also entitled to one visitor permit per household.
Residents and local traders have played an important role throughout the planning of this parking strategy. Their feedback led to several changes, including when and where the time restrictions would be in place and adding 'hockey stick' markings on all local streets to keep driveways clear.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa:
"The introduction of parking meters and parking restrictions in Altona will be of benefit to the Hobsons Bay community. For traders, the changes will help provide a turnover of visitors to the beach resulting in more customers.
"Residents in streets where the new parking restrictions are introduced will have special parking permits exempting them from time restrictions. These changes will help residents from being blocked in and unable to find parking in front of their homes, particularly on hot days. Residents can also apply for free parking permits so they don't have to pay for the locations with parking meters.
"Importantly, the parking meters also mean visitors to our beautiful beach, who enjoy our local reserves and amenity, are finally going to contribute to the cost of maintaining and cleaning the area, and provision of the facilities that Hobsons Bay ratepayers pay for.
"Many other popular areas throughout Melbourne have parking meters and they have not kept people away. I don't think Altona will be any different."
