By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
PARKING meters that were recently installed outside Centrelink’s Dandenong office are here to stay.
Greater Dandenong council’s city planning director Jody Bosman, in a written response to councillors last month, stated there were adequate free and disabled parking spaces near the Robinson Street office.
“It is not proposed to make any changes at this stage to the current situation.”
Mr Bosman said parking fees were introduced to maximise available car parking spaces in busy areas.
The meters had already improved access to the available parking spaces in the Centrelink area, he said.
“There has been a higher degree of compliance with the time restrictions in that area… and there have been reduced numbers of infringements issued for having (exceeded) the time restricted parking.”
Mr Bosman said holders of disability parking permits could park for free in the paid areas, as well as two disabled parking bays available outside Centrelink.
Free two-hour parking was available in Hutton Street, less than 60 metres away, and Cadle Street, less than 150 metres away, Mr Bosman said.
Longer-duration parking was available for $1.40 an hour at Walker Street car park, 150 metres from Centrelink.
Mr Bosman’s response was sparked by an online petition against the meters and the inquiries from councillor Jim Memeti at a council meeting last month.
Petition organiser Jackie Hay told the Journal last month that she noticed the parking meters when she was helping her frail grandmother to hand in papers at the office.
“It feels like the council is targeting people struggling to find work and struggling to live,” she said.
She said Centrelink clients often waited in queues for longer than the meters’ two-hour limits.
“They have to go out and feed the meters – and lose their spot in the queue – or stay in Centrelink to go find work and get a fine.”
