The Gisborne Roads and Transport Group is calling on Macedon Ranges council to address the parking shortage in the town’s CBD.
In a submission to the council’s draft 2018-19 budget, the group asked the council why no money had been allocated to improve local parking over the past two years.
Group chairman Russell Mowatt said the proposed 2018-19 budget included $413,000 to improve parking in Woodend, Kyneton and Riddells Creek.
“Given that the Gisborne CBD is experiencing unprecedented car parking pressures over the last two years, our question to council is why has no allocation been made?” he said.
“We believe it is remiss of the council not to address this high priority issue for not only businesses, employees, residents … but for all.
“[The parking shortage] has well and truly surpassed the trigger point for action to be taken by the council.”
Mr Mowatt said the council decided in 2016 to use $600,000 from the sale of land at 51 Aitken Street to Aldi for public car parking projects in the Gisborne area, but the money was yet to be spent.
He said the group had started circulating petitions to Gisborne businesses, requesting for more parking spaces and had received feedback from residents frustrated by the parking problems.
The group wants the council to use the next two budgets to increase the number of spaces.
