By Mikayla van Loon
The Lilydale Township Action Group (LTAG) formally submitted and presented its petition to Yarra Ranges Council calling for “fair and reasonable carparking signage”.
Having foreshadowed the lodgement of the petition at the previous council meeting, LTAG secretary Sharyn Manning spoke to the 178-signature document on Tuesday 11 February.
“Our petition (asks) the council to provide the people with the fair and reasonable car parking signage that is agreed by the council and disabled parking where appropriate, untimed and well placed parking spaces to suit the needs of the community,” she said.
“This or a traders permit system is particularly important for the traders and their staff, who often don’t have their own private car parks, and this leaves them particularly vulnerable to parking infringements. The community does not believe we currently have this.”
The petition also seeks the “rescinding of all fines” prior to an agreed consultation process, as well as publication of the consultation results and the method of recording of infringements.
“We want transparency and no reduction of statutory private car parking requirements on commercial builds without face to face consultation with township groups and traders as a minimum,” Ms Manning said.
“Approving planning permits, within the major activity centre, that have less than their statutory car parks put additional pressure on car parking by reducing capacity of the existing off street parking.”
Appreciative of the effort of the Township Group, and Ms Manning in particular, for collating their voice in the petition, councillor Tim Heenan expressed his thanks and desire to achieve a better outcome.
“I’d like to acknowledge, obviously, the time taken to gather the signatures of those people. I’d also like to acknowledge the different points that you have written,” he said.
“I further like to acknowledge the angst that people have gone through, certainly this year and sections of last year, in relation to what has panned out in Lilydale.
“I know we can find a better way, and I’m hoping the council will work with the Lilydale Township Action Group, businesses and other interested parties going forward to be able to find a solution that will be appropriate for the township.”
This sentiment was echoed by fellow councillors Mitch Mazzarella and Fiona McAllister.
“Certainly we need to acknowledge the quite significant effort LTAG has gone to to obtain the nearly 200 odd signatures on your petition,” Cr Mazzarella said.
“(We) appreciate you making the time to come and speak to this in person. Obviously, there’s a sense of urgency for Lilydale, but given we’re in the process of a parking management plan review or creation, it’s hugely valuable for us to hear your experiences, to make sure that actually, when we look at the whole of municipality approach, it’s different,” Cr McAllister said.
A secondary petition to seal Stanton Grove in Lilydale was also heard, with eight signatures, calling for a special charge scheme to provide an asphalted road, with no curb and channel.
Cr Heenan moved the motion to accept both petitions and ensure they are referred to the appropriate officer.
“(We) make that commitment that the seriousness of the nature of what has been put to council needs to be unpacked and dealt with in the way that I would hope the community would expect of this council,” he said.
“It’s very important that we get the parking in Lilydale correct, we get it right, and we future proof Lilydale…it’s really good to hear the persistent comments from LTAG to keep us on our toes and to make sure we’re aware of exactly what the community want and what the community need,” Cr Mazzarella said in seconding the motion.
It was passed unanimously.
