AN attempt to extend free parking to three off-street car parks for the duration of Warrnambool’s CBD renewal works failed to gain traction at Monday night’s council meeting.
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Councillors were considering a report to provide free parking for an hour and a half in the Parkers car parking area from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 and in the Ozone Car park from November 1, 2017 until December 31, 2018.
It also provided 10 free 15 minute spaces in the Coles car park and would cost the council more than $490,000 over three financial years.
But Cr Peter Sycopoulis moved an alternate motion to begin free parking in both car parks from November this year. He also proposed to add the Cramond and Dixon parking area and the whole Coles car park, pending owner agreement.
He also wanted free parking to end at the completion of CBD renewal works, rather than a fixed date.
Cr Michael Neoh asked if Cr Sycopoulis had an indicative cost for his amendment. He replied he did not.
Cr Sycopoulis said overall he was happy with the proposal, but didn’t agree with staggering starting dates.
Cr Peter Hulin said if money was the problem, council had never had an issue finding money for un-budgeted projects in the past.
Cr Jacinta Ermacora said she was “blown away”.
“Our budget is less than six minutes old and here is a proposal to blow it out of the water,” she said.
“This needs strategic justification, which is provided in the original strategy. This looks like a thought bubble.”
Cr Sycopoulis’ motion failed in a 4-2 vote, and debate returned to the original recommendation. Cr Brian Kelson had declared a conflict of interest.
Cr Rob Askew said it was “a firm proposal” which had been developed over a reasonable amount of time, taking into account data from previous trials.
“This forms part of a business package, you need more than just one major action,” he said.
Cr Sycopolous said he wasn’t against the strategy, he just thought there was a better option.
“But an option is better than no option,” he said.
Mayor Kylie Gaston said the strategy staggered works in line with the progress of works in the street which “made sense”.
The original recommendation was adopted in a 5-1 vote, with Cr Hulin voting against the plan.
