Fines, fees find their marks car park trial

Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au

MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire had by the end of last week collected $178,000 in fees from the three foreshore parking areas included in its summer paid parking trial that started on 1 December.

Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors were told last week that fines of nearly $20,000 had been issued for infringements at the car parks at Flinders and Mornington piers and Sunnyside Beach, Mount Eliza.

The $96 fines had been issued for each of 207 infringements.

The summer trial is reported to have cost the shire $1 million.

Peninsula residents can register up to five vehicles at one address to avoid being booked, although they must still obey parking times.

The latest payment figures were $25,000 higher than those recorded in the previous week.

The fines have been issued for parking without a ticket, 197; overstaying a time limit, 1; and no parking at a boat ramp, 9.

Parking is free for peninsula residents who have an e-permit and $6.50 an hour for visitors or $19.50 a day at Sunnyside and Flinders.

Peninsula residents can obtain a free e-permit from the shire’s website: mornpen.vic.gov.au/epermits

The shire says it has received 12,760 applications for e-permits.

To pay their parking fees visitors can download the PayStay Parking app and create an account; scanning the unique QR code signposted at each car park and paying as a PayStay Guest; or call 1300 322 111.

The shire says revenue from the fines “will be used to help maintain foreshore infrastructure across the peninsula while ensuring fairer access for everyone.

Charging visitors to park “is an opportunity for residents and visitors to the peninsula to continue to share our beaches while more fairly distributing the costs of maintaining these areas”.

“The pilot will enable us to test parking rules, trial latest technology and assess the flow on impacts. It will allow the collection of real-time data and valuable community feedback.”