Visitors to the Peninsula will pay $6.20 an hour to park at three foreshore car parks this summer as part of a pilot project that Mornington Peninsula Shire says will “help share the cost of maintaining infrastructure and provide fairer access for everyone”.
Paid parking will apply at car parks at Schnapper Point in Mornington, Sunnyside North Beach in Mount Eliza, and Flinders Pier after the shire approved the trial last night. The trial will run for at least six months using “a camera-based paperless system (that) will test technology and parking controls”, with variable time limits at each location. Residents are exempt but will have to apply for parking permits, which will be limited to five a household.
“While multiple locations across the Peninsula were considered, the three selected sites ranked highest when assessing key pilot control factors such as cost, different user needs, the range of rules able to be tested, potential to improve vehicle turnover and technology considerations,” the shire said. “Residents are exempt from paying but required to follow any parking time limits that apply. Consideration of other parking users such as businesses, staff and emergency services will be addressed as planning for the pilot progresses and engagement with key stakeholders continues.
“There will be flexibility to adjust parking controls throughout the duration of the pilot if necessary, taking into consideration parking use within the area and stakeholder and user feedback. Following the initial pilot, council will consider all feedback received and data collected. A successful review of the pilot could see further expansion of the system to other foreshore areas on the Peninsula.”
Mayor Steve Holland said the Peninsula hosted “many millions” of visitors each year who provided a “huge boost” to the economy. “However, the cost of maintaining our foreshore and tourism-related infrastructure is around $8 million per year (and) our residents are footing that bill,” Cr Holland said. “This visitor paid parking pilot will explore opportunities to lessen the financial burden on our ratepayers and allow us to raise much-needed funds to invest into maintaining our coastline.
“The three locations have been selected as they meet important criteria to enable a successful pilot. The simple configuration of how cars enter and exit at Sunnyside and Flinders Pier provides the best environment to trial software and technology, while Schnapper Point allows us to test a broad range of business rules and impacts in a more complex situation. By this time next year, we will have comprehensive data and feedback collected from the pilot to help determine what is best for our community in the longer term.”
Residents have been invited to provide feedback on the pilot here for the duration of the trial.
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