Parking feud

By Nicole Williams
A SCHOOL parking war has prompted official complaints to the council and reports to police that teachers’ cars have been vandalised.
Residents living near Dandenong High School have written to the City of Greater Dandenong objecting to teachers parking in their streets.
But school principal Martin Culkin has hit back saying teachers’ cars have been vandalised by people who are angry about the dispute. “It is very disappointing and upsetting that someone has vandalised teachers’ cars in an effort to get them to stop parking there,” he said.
A joint letter written to the council by residents in High Street and Day Street was considered by councillors at their Monday night meeting.
Residents say teachers parking in the area around the High Street school are causing traffic problems.
But Mr Culkin said teachers have been parking in the area for years without a problem.
Residents blame the incorporation of Doveton and Cleeland schools into the Dandenong school for bringing about an increase in staff parking in the area.
Councillor Jim Memeti met residents and tabled the petition on their behalf at the Monday meeting.
“They’re upset because the Dandenong High School has merged and hasn’t provided enough car parking for teachers,” Cr Memeti said.
“They are pretty fed up and concerned.”
Cr Memeti said residents were worried that rubbish trucks and any emergency service vehicles would struggle to make it down the street when it is lined with cars.
Residents are calling for a two-hour parking zone and resident parking permits.
Mr Culkin said the school was disappointed by the action because he said volume of parking has not changed.
“I’ve been here 11 years and teachers have parked in the street for many years without a problem,” he said.
“I don’t think anything has changed in terms of the volume of parking over that time.”
“It is disappointing some people have taken up a petition to control who parks in a local street.”
Mr Culkin said building works were being carried out at the school and a new teachers’ carpark will be built to accommodate about 120 cars.
He said police were investigating the vandalism.
“The matters have been reported to the police and this is all I will say on that matter.”