Car charge cut praised

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE PUSH has continued for the City of Greater Dandenong to remove central Dandenong’s street parking fees after a prominent businessman presented a certificate of appreciation to the council this week.
World of Technologies Australia managing director Peter Jabbour said he wanted to present the certificate to the council’s parking officers after a parking fee amnesty over December and January generated an influx of business for central Dandenong retailers.
“It allowed small businesses to become more busy,” he said.
“We were very happy to see the free parking, happy to see (council) working with us to make (shopping) easier for residents and shoppers.”
Mr Jabbour, a prominent central Dandenong businessman, was recognised last year by the Greater Dandenong council as a Living Treasure for his contribution to the local community, including donating a portion of each order from his electronics business to a variety of charities.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said at the conclusion of the free parking period on 31 January that he would fight to have fees removed for the 2006/07 financial year and beyond.
Cr Brown initially put forward a notice of motion in mid-December last year and gained support of the council to remove the fees in central Dandenong until end of January to encourage trade in the precinct.