To manage parking issues in Warburton, Yarra Ranges Council recently proposed some changes to the parking restrictions in the township to improve equity and improve vehicle movement in the township.
The council had 140 contributions from the community who provided feedback and which has resulted in some changes.
O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child said that something had to be done to try and increase vehicle movement in the town and create more equitable parking opportunities for everyone.
“We had a lot of people overstaying the car parking limits which was causing frustration for residents and visitors alike,” he said.
“While we have increased enforcement in the area, which we’ve received positive feedback on, we needed to look at more longer-term options to help improve the issue,”
“Previously, restrictions were largely centred around mid-week and Saturday mornings, which now doesn’t suit the town and how and when people visit it.”
Community members were given a range of proposed parking changes to look at and provide feedback on.
Some of the most common responses from the community during the engagement were:
• 2-hour parking in Warburton was not enough, particularly near the Arts Centre
o Response: Council changed the proposed restriction to 3 hours near the Arts Centre
• Most issues were with parking/staying too long on weekends
o Response: Modified restrictions to two hours on weekends and public holidays and longer 4-hour parking during the week along Warburton Highway and Thomas Avenue.
• 1-hour parking is not enough
o Response: Removed 1 hour restriction along the northern side of Warburton Highway
• The need for more parking spaces in Warburton
o Response: Council has undertaken parking surveys during peak periods in the town, with the results showing that there is parking available, however, it is not often always used effectively. Dependant on funding, longer-term additional parking options may also be created as part of the recently adopted Warburton Urban Design Framework.
• Need more short-term parking spaces, particularly near the post office
o An additional 30 minute space has been provided near the post office to enable a total of five short term spaces to be provided along Warburton Highway.
Cr Child said one of the most common responses from the community was for residents and businesses to be given permits to allow them to park all day in Warburton.
“However, this is not possible as it would result in even less available parking spaces being available to people during the day and we must ensure that the needs of our local businesses that rely on parking turnover are also taken into account when it comes to parking restrictions,” he said.
Council has made the Monday to Friday restriction hours 4 hours so that residents and businesses can still park in the same area for longer periods of time than what was previously proposed.
The new signage will be installed in the coming weeks.
These changes are a part of Yarra Ranges Council’s larger effort to review parking across the Yarra Ranges to create a more fair and equitable solution for residents and visitors alike, and delivers on commitments made in Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy.
Community members can view the feedback and proposed changes in full at shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/changes-parking-restrictions-warburton.
