COUNCILLORS voted to kill off paid parking for good at last week’s Mornington Peninsula Shire council meeting, putting an end to the contentious trial that faced widespread backlash from residents, business, and various groups.The shire had tested paid visitor parking at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier in the trial that was halted on 14 September last year. The trial was initially intended for 12 months after starting in December 2023 but lasted only nine months after community concerns prompted the shire to suspend it for further review. Issues included beachgoers using…
Browsing: paid parking trial
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire has left the door open to rolling out paid parking at popular beach foreshores despite significant concerns raised during a recent trial – with one councillor labelling it “total mayhem”.The controversial parking trail, which began last December, has seen visitors charged $6.20 an hour or $19.50 a day to park at Sunnyside Beach, Mt Eliza, Schnapper Point (near the pier), Mornington and near Flinders pier. Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit.The trial aimed to “not only generate a steady revenue stream for the council but also ensure that visitors contribute fairly to the…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has buckled under pressure and introduced some changes to its controversial paid parking trial after receiving a backlash from businesses and drivers.It is believed the council has introduced a 50 per cent discount for people who pay through the PayStay App, and also recently offered a 24-hour grace period from the date of parking. But a popular waterside Mornington restaurant which has spearheaded a petition to the state government is calling for a bigger revamp of the parking trial. Robert De Santis, who owns The Rocks restaurant and a separate cafe next door, at Schnapper Point,…