The Shire of Collie has introduced timed parking along Forrest Street to make in-demand parking bays more accessible.
The parallel parking spots directly in front of shops along Forrest Street between Harvey Street and Steere Street will now be limited to one hour parking.
Shire chief executive David Blurton said the time limits came into effect around Christmas when signage was installed along Forrest Street.
He also said that while parking would remain free despite the time limit, Shire Rangers would be responsible for monitoring parking and anyone caught overstaying the limit would risk incurring a $120 fine.
Mr Blurton said the introduction of the time limit would ensure that shoppers had greater access to the popular parking locations.
“Timed parking was introduced to ensure that the parking zones closest to the shops are not occupied for extended periods,” he said.
“Consultation undertaken during the development of the CBD parking plan indicated that the majority of retailers on Forrest Street between the roundabouts [at Harvey Street and Steere Street] supported the introduction of one hour timed parking.”
The parking time limit only applies to the parallel parking spots directly in front of the shops on Forrest Street, with the angled parking bays on the opposite side of the road remaining untimed.
Parking elsewhere along Forrest Street, on side roads such as Harvey Street and Steere Street and at the Goods Shed will also remain unlimited.
The parking time limit also doesn’t apply to any disabled parking spaces along the stretch of road.
The response to the change on social media has been mixed, with some concerns raised about whether the one hour limit is long enough for shoppers, and particularly the elderly, to get their shopping done.
However Mr Blurton said the one hour time limit was decided upon after consultation with business owners along Forrest Street.
What do you think about the changes? Email us at ashley.bolt@fairfaxmedia.com.au
