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proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
21 DECEMBER, 2022
to all our valued readers...
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Merry Christmas (Damjan Janevski) 312203_02
As excited kids across the west eagerly countdown the days until Santa visits, three-week-old Hudson experienced the lead up to his first Christmas sleeping soundly in his brother Mason’s arms, inattentive to the rush of last-minute preparations as the holiday draws closer. As we near the end of 2022, the team at Star Weekly would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year. We will return for 2023 on January 11.
Beach meters approved By Matthew Sims Parking meters will be installed along Altona Beach, despite more than 600 people signing a petition opposing paid parking in the area. During its December 13 meeting, Hobsons Bay council decided to proceed with plans to install parking meters along the Esplanade between Sarros Street and Millers Road, comprising 195 spaces. Hobsons Bay residents who already hold valid parking permits will not be required to pay to park along the Esplanade. Council initially flagged its intention to
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introduce paid parking along Altona Beach to help offset infrastructure costs in April. A petition opposing the meters was presented to council in October. Council’s decision to install parking meters has been criticised by lead petitioner Kaylene O’Shea. “The overall stance from the community is that the council has not listened to the residents,” she said. Altona resident Adeline Barham said she had concerns the potential impact paid parking could have on local traders. “People will shop or dine elsewhere,” she
said. Altona Village Residents Association president Ilch Mickovski said the paid parking meters could potentially represent another knock to traders, who were already struggling to bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s been a hell of a ride,” he said. However, Altona resident Peter Weaver said he supported introducing the meters. “This way, local residents will not pay and can park for an allotted time,” he said. “People from outside of our municipality will pay for use.”
Hobsons Bay councillor Jonathon Marsden acknowledged that the introduction of parking meters would be a “big change” for the community. “We’ll continue to listen to resident feedback and make sure that any scheme we put in evolves over time to suit the needs and interests of people who live within Hobsons Bay,” he said. Cr Daria Kellander opposed council’s proposal, noting that the majority of people who completed an online questionnaire about the introduction of paid parking meters responded negatively.