Tough terms of trade

MORE than 180 residents have objected to the removal of customer parking in the Dandenong CBD.
Through a petition they also asked City of Greater Dandenong council to change five-minute parking in Walker Street beside The Drum to 15 or 30-minute parking.
The council received the petition at its 10 December meeting and forwarded it to the relevant business unit for consideration.
A petition signed by 60 traders from Dandenong objecting to the council’s decision to stop displays on footpaths was also received and forwarded to the relevant business unit for consideration.
On 20 September the Star reported that Lonsdale Street traders were petitioning the council to revoke plans to ban footpath displays.
Forty-eight traders along the popular shopping strip had signed a joint letter opposing the ban due to start from 1 February, which the council passed on 13 August.
The letter said the revitalisation of Lonsdale Street resulted in fewer parking spaces for traders, which was already affecting businesses, and a ban on footpath displays could see many businesses close.
There are 20 traders with permits for footpath displays on Lonsdale Street.
The council’s city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said council officers were working with the 20 businesses affected by the goods display prohibition trial in central Dandenong on alternative strategies to promote their business.