South West shire looking to public opinion on parking time restrictions outside popular shopping centre

A South West shire is keen to hear what locals think about the introduction of time-restricted parking outside a major shopping centre. The Shire of Harvey will be entering a public consultation period in the coming months to investigate the feasibility of one and two hour restricted parking outside the Treendale shopping centre in Australind. The move came after several businesses within the centre approached council with claiming motorists were parking in the centre’s premium spots for the whole day. The potential restrictions would see the 97 parking bays outside the shopping centre slapped with one hour restrictions for parallel parkers, and two hour parking restrictions for those parking in the central island of bays. The ACROD handicaped parking would also see a 2.5 hour restriction. The 252 parking bays at the rear of the Treendale Shopping Centre would see no change. Shire of Harvey director of infrastructure services Rick Lotznicker said the shire was “testing the waters” around the potential new rules with the review part of the shire’s local parking law. “We are just following the process on our road,” he said. “Let’s see what comes back — they may not want it. It may be a few people who think it’s a good idea but the majority may not.” Cr John Bromham questioned the proposal, asking if the shire was “getting ahead of itself” with future development planned on the currently vacant lot across from the shopping centre. Mr Lotznicker said it was likely any future building would also have off-road parking similar to the existing parking behind the centre with possible re-evaluate at a later date. Cr Tiny Holly asked how often parking would be monitored because it would be “pointless” to implement if not regular managed. Mr Lotznicker said if implemented the restrictions would be managed similar to other road laws. “If you get caught, you get caught,” he said. “Obviously the rangers aren’t going to be there every day. Most people will do the right thing.” Council voted unanimously to support the investigation with the public consultation report set to return to chambers at a later date.