Parking victory

By Melissa Grant
PAKENHAM Business Group members are celebrating changes to parking limits behind the town’s post office.
They say the new one-hour time limit in the 30-bay car park will improve business in and around Main Street.
The Cardinia Shire Council erected one-hour parking signs in the bay this week, after the PBG requested that all-day parking should be reduced in that area.
PBG president Sue Day said the changes would make it easier to get a park closer to the shops.
“I think it will really encourage more people to shop in Pakenham because of that movement of cars,” she said.
“This will certainly help people who just want to quickly get to the post office or the bank.”
Ms Day said businesses would benefit from the new one-hour limit, but urged traders to take note of the new signs.
“We’re doing it for the customers,” she said. “There are plenty of all day parks on the other side (of the shops).”
Cardinia Shire Council General Manager Assets and Services Michael Ellis said council staff would monitor the area and liaise with business operators to ensure they adapted to the changes.
“There is a shortage of short-term car parks near the Pakenham central business district. Parking bays in all other parts of Pakenham Place car park are still available for longer term parking,” Mr Ellis said.
“This change comes after consultation with local traders. The Pakenham Business Group has supported the move and it will make it much easier for shoppers to find a park.”
Ms Day said the new one-hour limit behind the post office was a step in the right direction, but there was more that could be done to improve parking in Pakenham’s retail heartland.
The car park behind Ritchies Super IGA should have a two-hour limit, she said.
PBG vice-president Michael Porter agreed that more time limits needed to be put in place.
“Between Coles and Safeway the time (people can park there) is unlimited,” he said.