Night parking inquiry

– Shaun Inguanzo
A LATE night parking trial in Walker and Thomas Streets will be subject to a council investigation to be carried out within the next few months.
Greater Dandenong CEO Carl Wulff said multi-level parking lots in Walker and Thomas Streets, owned by council, would have to wait for a council report on issues concerning security and pricing before opening the gates after 5pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Star last week reported that Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown had received complaints from nearby traders, particularly restaurant owners, that the multi-level parking lots were closed during peak business hours at night and on weekends.
Mr Wulff this week said he and Cr Brown informally discussed the idea of opening the lots, but said research into whether there was demand for a paid service, and whether the area was secure enough for late night parking, would have to be looked into before beginning a trial.
“We will collect data and information and try and determine if there is demand,” he said.
Mr Wulff said council data collection on current on-street parking to help determine whether the multi-level lots were needed was likely to begin in February or March.