Concern raised over festival parking fines

PATRONS of the Ballan Autumn Festival have voiced their frustration about the enforcement of parking regulations during the March event.

Moorabool Shire Council has said it was undertaking a review of some infringement notices issued on the day.

A number of residents reported on social media last Friday that they had received fines for what they considered were minor actions.

Kevin Harper, the festival’s president, understood some patrons had been fined for things like parking in their own driveways or dropping off passengers.

He said many festival attendees had contacted organisers believing they had parked responsibly under event conditions.

“This was a day when Ballan opened its doors to the region,” he said.

“To follow that with fines arriving in the mail has left many questioning how such an approach could occur on a day meant to celebrate community.”

Councillor Ally Munari said she was horrified to read residents has been fined for reasons that were “really peculiar”.

She believed a situation like this had never happened in Ballan before.

“We know Ballan has challenges in terms of parking and we accept that when the main street is closed off and we try to find the best park we can, but in this situation it was just so disheartening to see that so many people had been affected,” she said.

Cr Munari, who had ties to Ballan, said she and Cr Paul Tatchell would offer assistance to anyone who wished to present enquiries to the council.

She was concerned about whatever reputational damage might have happened to the town and festival.

“I could tell there was a lot of out-of-towners, and I was really excited about that,” Cr Munari said. “People coming from Melbourne, people coming from Ballarat, who knows where else.

“I think it stabs you in the heart a little bit because we’re just there to celebrate our town, we’re there to celebrate who we are as a region.”

Shire chief executive officer Derek Madden said: “Some community members have raised concerns regarding infringement notices issued on the day. We are currently undertaking a review of these notices and will communicate directly with the recipients on next steps.”

He said the council worked with organising committees to ensure local towns and venues are accessible and safe for both pedestrians and motorists, especially during festivals and public events.

“Our community safety officers play a key role in supporting this work and undertake enforcement activities as required, including at the recent Ballan Autumn Festival,” he said.

“As the festival occurred on a state road, organisers were required to satisfy Department of Transport and Planning requirements on traffic management. Council reviewed and approved detour routes as part of this process.”