By Jessica Micallef
A Sunbury resident and business owner wants carparks in Sunbury “restricted” to less than two hours.
Sunbury Laundrette owner Alan Fraser was responding to an anonymous business owner’s response to Hume council switching five all-day parking spaces to two-hour parking in the Barkly Street off-street carpark.
In June, an anonymous business owner told Star Weekly he wanted business people issued with parking permits so they can park all day in time-based parking spots. Mr Fraser said the business owner’s idea to issue long-term parking permits was “absolutely retrograde”.
“Why don’t we get all the traders to park their car in O’Shanassy Street – where would the people come from?” he said.
“It’s going backwards.
“It’s just madness to think the business owner would want to park their car or their cars in the front of their shops and make customers walk even further.”
Mr Fraser said restricting parks to less than two hours would allow more customers to come into local businesses.
“Can you imagine how many free carparks there are going to be for people instead of having to drive around endlessly looking for a park because those carparks are going to be turned over like no tomorrow?” he said.
“It’s all about the shopping experience.”
Mr Fraser said there had been many times his customers had to park away from his launderette because parking was limited.
“I have many people who have mobility issues and have mobility devices to get to my launderette,” he said.
“There are three ladies in particular, and the struggles to get to my place are there.
“Every one of those carparks was taken up when those ladies were there.
“The quicker we move to 10 and 15 minute car parking, the better off every single business in the town is going to be.”
