By Deanne Jeffers
DRIVING is a team sport and when it comes to parking, we can all work together to achieve better outcomes. Shepparton’s Central Business District (CBD) services a wide range of people, including visitors, retirees, families, workers, shoppers, business owners and more, all of whom require parking.
The CBD has several strategically placed two-and-three-hour car parks. John Anderson, president of Greater Shepparton’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is encouraging people that work and shop in Shepparton to think outside the box when it comes to parking, to make parking easier and more viable for businesses.
“Shifting your car every two hours is very well and good and you might get away with moving your car and not paying a parking fee or fine, but in doing so, you are compromising a possible park for a customer and in turn, threatening your job,” said Mr Anderson.
“We need those spaces for people who want to shop and spend money, rather than someone feeding a metre.”
“We can all find parks that are a short walk from our workplaces,” he said, adding, “All-day parking behind the City Council is 0.3kms from Wyndham Street, that’s a short walk from all the amenities in the CBD. You’d be surprised how many steps you get up parking just that little bit further, which has immeasurable health benefits as well.”
Shepparton’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been successful and would like to thank the local council for supporting the complementary parking in December and January, which will become an annual occurrence without the Chamber needing to re-apply each year.
To assist people parking in Shepparton, particularly out-of-towners, Mr Anderson wants Council to adopt digital signage that would direct people to car parks where there are available parking spaces.
“People do not always know where these two-and-three hours parks are, making it more difficult to shop. The idea is that signage would direct people to parks and say whether there are 50 or 150 available.”
While it is unlikely to be adopted in the budget given the overall cost, Mr Anderson would like to see a staged approach to this, adding signage to one carpark each year until they are all covered.
Park like a pro with these tips:
1. Bring alternate, comfortable shoes you can change into to walk from further parks to your destination.
2. Particularly through winter when it is dark, for your safety and that of others walk in groups or arrange to be dropped off at your car by taxi, your employer or someone you know.
3. Take a photo of your car before walking away so you don’t forget where you parked.
4. If possible, carpool to school or work. Avoid feeding the metre or using timed carparks that could be used by a potential customer.
