MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has been asked to reconsider its plans for a paid parking trial at Flinders pier.
“There are no pristine sandy beaches, walking trails, bike paths or cafes to justify the charge in the same way as other seaside locations where parking fees have been introduced,” chairperson of the Save Flinders Pier campaign Charles Reis said.
Reis, named by the shire as its 2023 Local Champion, said that council’s plan for charged parking at Flinders was problematic and parking should remain free.
Parking areas at Flinders, Sunnyside North Beach, Mount Eliza and Schnapper Point, Mornington are included in the parking charge trial (“Permanent paid parking to depend on trial results” The News 15/6/23).
While the trial will begin in summer and run for at least six months, the shire says it will use feedback and results to decide whether to make it permanent.
The shire has allocated $1.16 million over two budgets to pay for the six-month paid parking trial over summer.
Peninsula residents can apply for ePermits (maximum five a household) while visitors will have to pay to park.
Cr David Gill has warned his colleagues and council officers that paid parking will not work.
“If I had been consulted about including the Flinders pier area I could have explained why this location is dead in the water as a proposition with foreseeable conflicts on site and with nearby businesses,” Gill said in an email on Wednesday 28 June.
“The awkward perceptions at Sunnyside should have ruled it out and Schnapper Point may prove to be the biggest nightmare of the three with business, yacht club and other user group reactions forthcoming.
“Paid parking should not be allowed to detrimentally affect local businesses.”
Gill’s prediction was made five days after a member of council’s “peninsula parking management team” told a resident that council had not made any “permanent decisions” about paid parking at Flinders.
The unsigned email said the parking trial “offers a chance to test the technology and impacts in each on the three respective paid parking locations”.
“We have been in touch with Parks Victoria, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Better Boating Victoria and are looking into ways to assist where we can. Flinders does have a range of stakeholders and some previous parking issues. We will do our best to accommodate businesses as best we can and we are currently considering a business parking permit that eligible businesses would be able to apply for, however this is still being discussed.”
Reis said many visitors to Flinders pier supported the historic display shed, operated by volunteers all year round.
“Visitors also support our local aquaculture operators such as Harry the Mussel Man and the small businesses in the Flinders village,” he said.
“Flinders pier is a local economic drawcard and the adjoining foreshore is used mostly for passive purposes by beachgoers, picnickers and people who want to enjoy the unique history of the precinct.”
Reis said Victoria’s Better Boating had decided in 2019 to provide free access to every Victorian public boat ramp.
“If the pilot goes ahead, we could have a situation where owners of speed boats and jet skis will pay nothing to launch and retrieve their vessels that have an environmental impact on our coastal waters; while passive users such as people having a family picnic will be charged $6.20 an hour.
“While I understand the pressure on council’s budget, we need to also consider the inequity of the new charge, and how it will disproportionately affect those people who can least afford it.”
Reis said fines for non-compliance would range from about $90 up to court-imposed fines of $385, according to VicRoads.
“No part of this decision by council feels right for Flinders and I am urging council to reconsider.”
First published in the Mornington News – 11th July 2023
