Hume councillor Chandra Bamunusinghe has had enough of complaints from residents who keep copping fines for parking on nature strips.
They do it, they keep saying, because roads through their residential areas are not wide enough to allow legal parking on both sides of streets without blocking thoroughfares for neighbours or emergency service vehicles.
It’s an issue that comes up regularly at council meetings, and last week at Sunbury was no exception.
Another letter was presented to the council, this time with 18 signatures calling for the introduction of indented parking in Franklin Avenue, Roxburgh Park.
Cr Bamunusinghe and other councillors are calling on their officers to review practices that cost residents $87 every time parking officers target their area.
The growing discontent has put the issue at the top of council’s list of resident angst, which comes mostly from new estates at Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Greenvale and Sunbury.
“We don’t want any more fines,” Cr Bamunusinghe said. “Enough is enough.”
He wants the council to require new developments to include indented parking, or to build wider roadways.
And he doesn’t think the council’s charge to residents of $750 per indented parking bay (matched by a council contribution) is affordable for hundreds of households most affected.
Hume director Steve Crawley acknowledged community complaints about parking on nature strips but said it presented danger for pedestrians and other road users.
“Vehicles parked on a nature strip can hamper the view of other motorists and the weight of vehicles could impact on drainage and utilities infrastructure,” Mr Crawley said.
“But we also receive feedback from residents who believe their options for parking safely in some areas are limited.
“In view of this, council has asked officers to undertake a comprehensive review of parking throughout Hume.”
