By CASEY NEILL
TRADERS in a Dandenong shopping strip say parking problems are costing them customers.
At the 23 November Greater Dandenong Council meeting, Cr Matthew Kirwan asked officers to assess and address issues in the Menzies Avenue precinct and report back in March.
He said the newly-renovated Menzies Public Hall’s popularity had increased, improvements to the park were attracting more visitors, and shoppers increasingly hailed from outside the suburb.
But he said these positives had created traffic congestion, prevented shoppers from parking and reduced visibility for pedestrians.
Terry Tairovski has run Menzies Cellars in Menzies Avenue for 17 years.
He welcomed the hall and park upgrades but said the parking configuration needed to change to cope with the increased demand.
“This all leads to more than what it can handle,” he said.
“All the cars are parking in front of the shops.
“When the hall is leased out on weekends we kiss our car parking goodbye.
“They park everywhere – on nature strips, on footpaths, everywhere. You name it, they park, even blocking people’s driveways.
“Customers can’t get parking spots.”
