By Caitlin Bewley
\n(3rd Yr Swinburne Uni)<\/p>\n
Business owners in Ballan have raised their concerns with the one-hour parking along Inglis Street at their February Chamber of Commerce meeting.
\nAlthough the one-hour parking limit has been around for over 12 years, a local shop director says, \u201cit\u2019s never been enforced, so why now?\u201d
\n\u201c[The one-hour parking signs] have been there for over five years, since I\u2019ve worked [at Cartier Travel],\u201d he said. \u201cBut they\u2019ve never been policed.\u201d
\n\u201cPeople come through Ballan with their caravans and want to stop to go down the main street, stop at cafes, look at the courthouse \u2013 they can\u2019t do that with the time restraints on parking,\u201d the shop director said.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re not happy. Two of my staff members and a client have been booked. They either need to get rid of [the time restraints], or police them fairer.\u201d
\nHe suggested prior to this occurring, \u201cwhy not have a discussion with the stake holders so it\u2019s a win win for everyone; those that wish to frequent the town and those that work there.\u201d
\nA spokesperson for Moorabool Shire Council told the Moorabool News the parking restrictions are historic to the town and people were aware of what was to come.
\n\u201cEnforcement of parking within the Shire, including Ballan, has been an ongoing for many years.
\n\u201cIncreased activity and compliance has occurred over the past few months as a result of an increase in resources being diverted to the area, to ensure that parking provision is provided for all and that vehicle turnover is occurring,\u201d the spokesperson said.
\nBut was there ever a community consultation before the signs were erected? The council\u2019s spokesperson advised it was raised twice.
\n\u201cPrior to finalising the Ballan streetscape project, the community was consulted, and feedback forms filled in with one question specifically around parking. Concept plans were also on display.
\n\u201cJust prior to construction, each resident and business on the impacted sections were door-knocked or letter-boxed with details of the works and what it would mean for parking.\u201d
\nAn issue that was brought to the chamber\u2019s attention was of insufficient parking time out the front of businesses that may require parking for longer than an hour, including pubs and cafes.
\nCouncil told the Moorabool News this was to \u201censure everyone has a fair chance to get a parking spot.\u201d
\n\u201cThere is parking off the main street that is un-metered and there are untimed parking spots on the main street for disability-parking permit holders,\u201d a spokesperson from Council said.
\nChamber of Commerce President Michael Ryan said they would write a letter to Council with their concerns.
\nCentral Ward Councillor Paul Tatchell told a Development Assessment Committee (DAC) meeting he would like to see a change to the parking limit to longer than one-hour.
\n\u201cThis has an affect on businesses, and we are trying to encourage people to lunch and meet in the town, and now they can\u2019t,\u201d he said.
\nCr Tatchell proposed at least a two-hour limit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Caitlin Bewley (3rd Yr Swinburne Uni) Business owners in Ballan have raised their concerns with the one-hour parking along Inglis Street at their February Chamber of Commerce meeting. Although the one-hour parking limit has been around for over 12 years, a local shop director says, \u201cit\u2019s never been enforced, so why now?\u201d \u201c[The one-hour […]<\/p>\n