ADVOCACY group Committee for Greater Frankston has called for free two-hour parking to be offered at Bayside Shopping Centre.
The committee’s president Rod Evenden said parking costs at the centre have been “bleeding the retail soul out of Frankston for many years.”
“Shoppers have warmly received Karingal Hub shopping centre’s $160 million redevelopment with its ample and free undercover car parking, with many describing it as brilliant. The new Karingal Hub development leaves Bayside and the CBD blatantly uncompetitive,” he said.
“Two hours of free parking CBD-wide would encourage shoppers to return to our city and restore the confidence of Bayside traders cautious about renewing their leases. Bayside staff need affordable all-day parking, and shoppers expect two hours free like at other places they visit. And Vicinity Group will greatly benefit if traders are again willing to sign Frankston leases.
“Bayside shoppers’ and workers’ parking has been treated as a corporate ATM for too long. Too much money has been creamed off through parking for our city to thrive. Pricing is clearly out of whack with all other shopping precincts in Victoria.”
In July last year, Frankston Council began offering free two-hour parking in Playne Street, Cranbourne Road, Young Street East, the Mechanics Hall, and the Frankston Arts Centre.