Warrnambool City Council's decision to make car parking free during the height of the corona virus crisis has been welcomed by long-time campaigner and business owner Max Taylor.
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Mr Taylor said he was "absolutely over the moon" to hear that motorists won't have to use the parking meters or the app until at least mid-April when the council will review its decision.
"I was in the process of getting another petition in before this month's meeting to ask for free 90 minutes in the off-street car parks, but this is better still," the Taylors Surfodesy owner said.
"I'm extremely happy to hear it."
Knowing that the free car parking measure would only being temporary, Mr Taylor said he would continue his push to have the major off-street car parks in the CBD "free for 90-minutes forever".
"That is an absolute must for the CBD to kick along to survive," he said.
He said allowing 90-minutes of free car parking in the Parkers and Ozone and car parks was the perfect scenario.
"Free 90 minute car parking hits the nail on the head," he said.
"Cars still turnover and staff don't park out the front all day."
Mr Taylor said trade during the month was down about 15 per cent. "We're just hanging in there," he said.
"The way I see it, we must keep our doors open. I would not like to see a closure because that would certainly be extremely difficult for a lot of businesses to survive."
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