Mornington Shire Council has officially voted to scrap its paid parking policy following a decisive meeting on Tuesday night. Councillors reaffirmed their stance from before the Christmas break, signaling strong opposition to the initiative.
However, not all councillors were in agreement. Cr Kate Roper was a dissenting voice, arguing that paid parking could serve as an important revenue stream for the council amidst growing budget pressures and rate capping. She noted that Mornington Peninsula Shire is one of the few councils without paid parking and is missing out on potential funding opportunities.
“This was a way of getting the visitors to help pay for some of that infrastructure. So I believe in that user pays principle. So that’s why I’ve supported the paid parking in the past,”
Cr Roper said during an interview with RPP FM.
“Unfortunately, we did have a lot of problems, but I don’t think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
During the 2024 councol election, among the most vocal opponents of the paid parking trial was (now) Tanti Ward Cr Paul Pingiaro, whose popular campaign centered on common sense and the removal of paid parking as a result of the negativeimpact on tourism and local commerce the trial had.
His stance resonated with many residents and business owners, reinforcing the push to keep parking free.
Cr Paul Pingiaro abstained from the vote and council discussions regarding the paid parking trial after he declared a conflict of interest.
This decision reflects the commitment of several councillors including Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh, Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Pingiaro, Cr Bruce Ranken, Cr David Gill, and Cr Cam Williams, who publicly opposed the paid parking, responding to concerns from residents and business owners about its potential impact on tourism and local commerce. With this move, the council has ensured that parking remains free for the foreseeable future.
However, as per reports from RPP FM, a motion was passed to investigate alternative strategies for managing high-demand parking areas, particularly during peak tourism seasons. Council officers have been tasked with exploring potential solutions such as time-limited parking zones, improved signage, and better public transport connectivity to alleviate congestion.
Community engagement will be a key focus moving forward. The council has announced plans to conduct public forums and surveys in the coming months to gather feedback from residents and business owners on long-term parking solutions.
For now, locals and visitors can continue to enjoy free parking as the council works on a comprehensive and sustainable approach to parking management.
