Parks loaded up

By Kath Gannaway
NEW LOADING zones in Healesville have put a number of residents at loggerheads with Yarra Ranges Council, and nearby businesses say they are also feeling the angst from locals who have been caught out.
Two parking bays on Maroondah Highway immediately west of Green Street were changed to loading bays to replace Green Street loading bays lost as a result of the streetscape development.
Healesville resident Sue Caloutas said she parked outside the Healesville Pharmacy on Wednesday, 7 September and came back to find a parking ticket on her windscreen.
“I have parked there for 17 years and didn’t even notice that the sign had changed,” she said.
Ms Caloutas accused the council of revenue raising, saying she believed they could do more to make people aware of the changed status of parking when a parking bay had been available for general parking for many years.
She called for a more prominent sign to alert people to the change.
“I was only away from the car for a minute or two and instead of warning me, the parking guy, looked right at me as I got out and just waited for me to get a ticket,” she said.
“The next day he was there again booking other people.”
Another woman (who didn’t want to be named) said she got a ticket two weeks ago and requested that the fine be quashed.
“I have usually parked there because it’s close to the chemist and with little kids it’s easy getting them out of the car.”
“I’ve received a letter saying they won’t withdraw the fine and saying they made the change in July, but I just didn’t notice the sign,” she said.
Nearby traders have told the Mail they have had numerous complaints from customers who have been accustomed to parking in the two spaces and have just not noticed the red ‘loading zone’ strip on the parking sign advising that it’s a no-go for general parking between 10am and 2pm.
“It’s seems to be about the revenue because the guy is out there all the time now,” one trader said.
“I’ve had people who have said they’ve been booked and they have parked there for 30 years and didn’t know it had changed,” said another trader.
Yarra Ranges Council however said the change to loading zones was made on 22 September after consultation with business and retail operators in the area.
“It is the responsibility of all motorists to read the signs when they park their vehicle wherever that may be,” communications manager Troy Edwards said.
He said the loading zones were provided to ensure local traders could get goods delivered and conduct their businesses.
“All too often these spaces are occupied by other motorists making the necessary deliveries extremely difficult for commercial operators.”
“Our data is indicating we have issued four infringements since the signs were changed,” Mr Edwards said.