Traders want more parking

By Nathan Johnston
THE City of Greater Dandenong will meet with Springvale retailers to discuss parking issues on 7 November.
Councillor Naim Melhem submitted a petition on behalf of 56 property owners and business operators from central Springvale who want additional parking to be made available at the Springvale shopping precinct.
He said he was working closely with the traders to develop plans for better facilities.
Cr Melhem backed CEO Carl Wulff’s plans to retain council control over land at the corner of Balmoral and Buckingham Avenue.
He said it could be one of the options for a multilevel car parking facility.
The former Springvale council gave the rights to the land to a private developer in 1994 with a condition that car parking spaces be made available as part of any development.
The rights to the land have since been sold from one developer to another and still no work has been done.
Cr Melhem said it was time for action.
“We gave them the land so it could be developed and it included a condition that 80 car parking spaces be part of the work.
“But they did nothing about it and, I believe, they are in breach of the contract.
“The problem is, we don’t know how to get it back, or whether we can force them to do it.
“Maybe the work could be done in partnership between the developer in the council.”