PARKING permits will be issued to residents in streets near The Pillars cliff jumping site at Mount Martha.
The move is hoped to lessen the problems caused by the thousands of mainly young people drawn to The Pillars over summer.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors made the decision last week following a survey that found most residents preferred permits over a complete ban on parking in their streets.
Parking officers will still make regular patrols to book illegally parked cars and residents will be asked for feedback on the November to March permit trail.
Although the survey showed residents wanted permits, council officers recommended banning all street parking while maintaining patrols by parking officers.
The results of a survey of residents and recommendations by officers were contained in a report to council’s 19 October meeting by Laura Crilly, team leader – water and coasts director – planning and infrastructure.
Ms Crilly said although the permit was the most popular option with residents it would be “labour intensive to implement and manage”.
Cr Steve Holland said he had been “happy” to support what the residents wanted and successfully moved that parking permits be tried out over summer.
It will be the first time parking permits have been issued in the shire.
However, the permits will not allow parking in areas with No Stopping signs.
Ms Crilly said The Pillars was a “challenging situation” and restricting parking was aimed at lessening such problems as residents being threatened with violence, verbal abuse, cars blocking driveways, litter, urination, defecation, alcohol consumption, loud music, people getting undressed in the street, unsafe pedestrian behaviour and illegally parked vehicles.
Last summer there were 241 parking infringements issued, with 183 of those being in Marguerita Avenue.
Fewer cars had parked in Deakin Drive where No Stopping signs were on both sides of the road.
Ms Crilly said residents had shown they wanted to trial changes to parking in their streets, but she recommended No Stopping signs as drivers were less inclined to park if there were no other vehicles in the street.
“It appears that when one vehicle is parked illegally, other vehicles begin parking in the same way,” Ms Crilly stated in her report. “This may be because signs are not observed, or directions are unclear.
“A small number of people may park illegally because they are happy to pay the infringement in exchange for parking.
“A consistent approach will be easier to manage and enforce, and less costly than introducing a permit system.”
The system adopted by council will enable residents to download a permit onto their smart phones to register their vehicles and two visitors, for 24 hours, at any one time.
“Registered vehicles can be recognised by their number plate by enforcement officers to ensure permitted vehicles are not issued with infringement notices,” Ms Crilly said.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 October 2021
