Cheaper rates, longer stays

By Casey Neill

Motorists can park longer for less in central Dandenong, according to Greater Dandenong Council.
Mayor Youhorn Chea said the council listened to community feedback through a parking review and provided shoppers and visitors with options to park for longer and at a more affordable price.
“Dandenong is a vibrant urban centre and as a result parking is in high demand,” Cr Chea said.
“Council regularly undertakes parking reviews in the city to ensure we are meeting the needs of visitors, residents, workers and traders.”
In the ‘triangle car park’ in Clow Street, opposite Dandenong Market, parking was capped at two hours and cost $1.50 an hour.
The time limit is now three hours and the cost is $1 per hour.
In the Princes Highway service road between Clow and Robinson streets, the time limit has been increased from two hours to four hours, and the fee has dropped from $1.80 per hour to 50 cents per hour.
Last year, the Journal reported that CatholicCare Family Services submitted a letter signed by 41 people to the council.
The letter said the support service had limited on-site parking, and most workers and clients were forced to park hundreds of metres away.
At the time, engineering services director Julie Reid suggested the time limit increase that has now come into effect and said the spaces were underutilised.
Cr Chea said there were changes across the CBD in direct response to user feedback and to encourage parking at underutilised areas.
“We recognise that people are visiting central Dandenong for different reasons,” he said.
“The viability of our traders and their ongoing success is very important and as a result parking needs to be flexible in cost and timing.”
Visit www.greaterdandenong.com/parking for more information.