Parking plan a boost for traders

By Shaun Inguanzo
THOMAS Street traders fed up with the street’s lack of parking spaces are set to benefit if a multilevel car park opens late.
Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti said traders complained to him that the low number of parking spaces in Thomas Street, Dandenong, was preventing more people from filling restaurants.
Cr Memeti said Thomas Street’s few spaces could no longer cope with traffic from a reception centre that attracted up to 700 people on Saturday and Friday nights, the Drum Theatre and a new nightclub set to open this month.
Under a proposal by council officers, the Thomas Street car park, which is now only open only during business hours, will open from 5.30pm to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
The move will cost the council $250 per night, Cr Memeti said, but the council would charge between $4 and $5 per car to recoup the expenses.
Cr Memeti said the council would vote on the plan as soon as Monday night’s meeting.
Thomas Street restaurateur John Camillo said he was happy to hear about the plan, but feared if done half-heartedly the idea would fail.
“If council does it with energy, signs and bright lighting and can generate its own running costs, then I think it can work,” he said.
Cr Memeti said if the council approves the extended hours, the car park would be open late beginning this month.