A CITY of Greater Bendigo councillor has called on the council to scrap its controversial new parking strategy. In September last year the council voted to create 391 car parks by turning selected spaces from 45 degrees to 90 degrees, at a cost of between $200,000 and $400,000. The move has angered local workers, residents and bike riders who all fear for their safety because of the changes. They claim a lack of visibility when exiting their driveways or car spaces could lead to an increase in car crashes around the CBD. Some cyclists have also raised concerns, claiming it was almost impossible to see the tail lights of cars about to exit the new bays. Eppalock Ward councillor Greg Williams has taken the criticism on board, calling for the plan to be abandoned. “We should scrap it and get on with building the multi-storey car park as was announced way back in 2004. That should have been completed by now,” he said. “Council has not properly addressed the car parking issue for years and so now we are compromising safety in response. “This policy was an act of desperation by council because of its inability to complete its major projects.” Cr Williams criticised the council for not listening to its residents about the issue. “I don’t think there was any consultation at all about the changes to 90 degrees,” he said. “I spoke against it when it was implemented, both on that issue and the issue of safety.” Mayor David Jones said council was on the right track with the car parking decision. ”Council has created more than 800 on-street parks in the CBD. They are also the cheapest option. These 800 parks have cost less than two per cent of what a multi-storey park would cost,” he said. “If there are places where people are inconvenienced, then I encourage people to contact council, but those who have private parks in the CBD must realise that we are striving to alleviate the shortage of parks with every means at our disposal. “The completion of the Marketplace and the additional car parks there will also help. The Bendigo Weekly reported CBD traders as having had the best Christmas in 30 years and the council would be loathe to take out 800 car parks.” Cr Williams also criticised council’s decision in November to undertake another parking review, after not implementing any of the recommendations from the previous one in 2004. “If this report is done properly it will tell us the same thing as the last one,” he said. “It is not going to tell us anything we don’t already know. It is just a waste of time and money.”
Once again Cr Williams seems to be the lone voice of sanity and common sense amongst an otherwise useless bunch of don't-care no-hoper councilors and bureaucratic bunglers.
One only has to drive in and out of a 90-deg Vs a 45-deg parking space a few times to quickly see the 45-deg one is far safer in the vast majority of real-world situations.
Jonesy has a damn cheek suggesting aggrieved "parkers" should consult with Council; Kylie Clark tried that and got the well-known Bum's Rush from the "experts" at Council just recently.
Bendigo Council and Administration are fast heading in the same direction that Mt Alexander Shire has for the last few years: Straight towards having the Government Administrators kick them out and take over.
Here we go again. Cr. Williams is jumping on the bandwagon. I know in the article Cr. Williams says that he spoke against the plan at the council meetings. What it doesn’t say is whether he actually voted for it. I would like to know. It would be just a little bit hypocritical to call for the scrapping of a task that you have voted in favor of.
Cr. Williams called for the multi-story car park to be built. What I want to know is why does the city of greater Bendigo have to build it? Why can’t a private company build the car park and then make its money back by charging the users? I don’t want my rates going towards a giant car park that I have no interest in using.
I think that the Bendigo Weekly has taken a very narrow minded approach to this issue. Rising petrol costs, interest rates and cost of living are putting more pressure on families. Building a multi-million dollar car park and raising the council rates is just another kick in the guts. What are the motives for this new car park? So some lazy people don’t have to walk an extra 200m to find a car park? If I was the editor of the Weekly I wouldn’t be suggesting an irresponsible option that will bankrupt the town. We need better public transport and the trams are the way to go. Car parks at Lake Weeroona and the Joss House so that workers can ride the tram to work in the morning and shoppers can do it during the day. Why cant this work. I defy anyone to try and answer this.
Mayor Jones - hang your head in disgrace. when the council elections are held this year you will have been the leader of the council for the most of the time, presiding over a paralysed collection of representatives talking big about little things and unable to get the job done. This council has squandered vision and opportunity to make Bendigo greater and the parking fiasco around town will be your lamentable legacy
Comment #4
(Posted by Big John)
Just like I said in the past with this useless good for nothing council.
Boot the lot out once and for all.
Come on Brumby rid us of this virus.
To Big John, it is all too easy to criticize the council for doing a bad job. Why don’t you run for a spot on the council in the next election? I am sure you will be able to impress the voters with the verbal diarrhea which spews from your ignorant mouth.
In response to Chuck (comment #2)
1. I did indeed vote against the new strategy (as did two other councillors)- you can check the council minutes of 7 November 2007 on the council website www.bendigo.vic.gov.au item 4.9 (voting result on page 129) In addition I have been a long term critic of Council’s inability to implement its own (now former) parking strategy - so no bandwagon on this one.
2. In regional areas it is simply not viable for commercial operators to construct multiple story car parks without government subsidy. Bendigo has the additional issue that land availability in the CBD is constrained by building of heritage significance - so there are no cheap options. Council must simply decide whether or not it wants the CBD to grow and if the answer is yes (as I believe it must be) Council needs to ensure there is adequate infrastructure including parking. At the moment the Council is trying to have it both ways and it’s simply not sustainable - now we are seeing people’s safety put at risk, and soon business will be adversely affected as well, because of inaction by this Council over the past few years.
3. Regarding rates – council currently collects over $1.3M net from car parking fees & fines. If this money had been saved each year in a car parking development fund instead of being frittered away in general revenue there would be well over $18M saved since council amalgamations to invest in this project. There have been a number of attempts by myself and former councillors to reestablish such a fund over the years – but sadly to no avail.
Comment #7
(Posted by Big John)
Yo chucky baby getting a bit personal eh.
Can't take the truth, can't take the failures of this council for the past 30 years.
Your heads seems to be buried in the sand like the rest of the council clowns.
Perfect namre for them i think.
Firstly let me apologise for the remarks I made regarding you voting in favor of the new parking strategy. I am still of the opinion that it is a good idea and needs to be continued. I guess the bandwagon is only for Howard Street and other important issues.
Regarding the rates: You do realize that if the money from car parking fees and fines is used to pay for a new car park that more revenue would be needed to balance the budget? So rates will have to be increased unless there are budget cuts. This means that services will have to be cut. Can you tell us Cr. Williams which Council services will be first on the chopping block?
I would like to say that the council has done a terrific job with the new Walk Bendigo plan and Mall redevelopment. Both are great ideas and if they are implemented properly then will be a fantastic asset to the people of Bendigo. I like the look of the new Capital and Art gallery precinct. It should attract many more visitors to the city. Here are some of the areas where you can improve:
1. Public transport – More buses and incentive for people to ride them. How about a park and ride system? People park their cars in a secure parking lot a couple of kilometers from the city centre then regular buses ferry them to an from work as is needed. Trams should also be used for public transport. If you live near Lake Weeroona then you can catch the tram into the city centre to do your shopping. Why cant this work?
2. The Beehive building – Is starting to look a bit old a decrepit. I recommend turning it into a small shopping centre. Have boutique stores to add a bit more variety to what is in the city centre. I would have thought the owners would have developers beating the door down. I am sure it would attract more visitors.
3. Museum – A city as old as ours doesn’t have a proper museum. It is ridiculous and you should be doing something about it. The old post office should be redeveloped to create this much needed asset for the community.
As for you big john I apologise for getting personal. I feel that you don’t earn any respect by just paying out on other people without having your own ideas. I would like to hear your ideas big John. What do you propose we do about the car parking?
Comment #9
(Posted by Big John)
There are many sain ways Chuck and you did attack me again in your last remark.
You have to learn to see the big picture lets start with transport the buses are useless around Bendigo
council needs to get into talks with the bus co's for a start and get a class bus service for a start.
I know some cities where the buses around town are free to all the public you see it's easy to use the scone.
very Constructive Big John. I can tell you are a man with a vision. Could you please explain to me the reasons why buses and trams wont work as public transport.
