VicTrack and Melton council are calling for commuters to be patient for a while longer as parking upgrades wrap up at the train station.
Station parking has been tight since works to install 270 more car spaces, being carried out by VicTrack, started in June forcing the closure of part of the carpark.
One frustrated commuter copped a $95 fine for parking illegally last month but contested it, saying the temporary carpark did not fulfill the needs of those who catch the train.
“I encourage those who were fined at the Melton train station [on September 14] to contest the fine,” the commuter posted on a Melton/Bacchus Marsh residents’ Facebook page.
“I had 50 of the applications for infringement review [forms] printed and placed them on cars with fines … At 4pm that only covered about half that were there at that time and considering the incident occurred around midday, imagine the revenue!”
Melton council compliance manager Ian Stewart said that “less than a handful” of fines were issued by officers at Melton train station in the 2016-17 financial year, and even fewer were contested.
“Melton council understands commuters may be feeling frustrated about parking near Melton train station while VicTrack upgrades the carpark with 270 new spaces,” Mr Stewart told
Star Weekly.
“However, the safety of residents remains council’s first priority.
“Parking illegally across footpaths and access points creates a hazard for pedestrians, including wheelchair users, and older people.”
A statement from VicTrack asked commuters for their patience until the upgrades are completed at the end of November.
“During the works, we encourage people to use the temporary carpark provided and comply with council parking restrictions on local streets.”
The works are part of the state government’s $20 million station carpark upgrades program being rolled out across metropolitan and regional train stations which aims to improve accessibility and enhance safety through new lighting, CCTV and signage.
