mmg.com.au

Free parking at the former IGA supermarket site and the Chemist Warehouse car park on Vaughan St will disappear when the precinct is redeveloped under a proposal for pay-and-display parking.

The private car parks would be incorporated into Greater Shepparton City Council’s parking system, with parking officers monitoring the sites and issuing infringement notices.

In return, council would get a percentage of revenue and retain the income from fines.

Council confirmed it had discussed the proposal with developer Lascorp, but had not yet received a formal submission.

‘‘Discussions are taking place between Lascorp and council relating to the management and controls over the new car park when developed,’’ council chief executive Gavin Cator said.

‘‘Council has asked them to give a proposal in writing, and will respond to that once it is received.’’

Lascorp general manager Malcolm Bamford also confirmed the talks and said a submission had also been received from a supplier of parking equipment.

Mr Bamford said more than $1million was being spent on the car park, including shade over half the spaces.

‘‘It is something we are looking at,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re not committed to it yet.’’

The move has angered traders along Vaughan St.

‘‘It is a disgrace, for council be involved in that is a disgrace,’’ Cheescake Shop owner Travis Williams said.

Mr Williams said traders met with Lascorp several months ago to discuss the redevelopment of the shopping precinct and while the retention of present parking spaces was discussed the introduction of paid parking was not mentioned.

‘‘It has always been a fear of all the traders in the area,’’ he said.

‘‘We need to attract people, it’s not on, people don’t want to be paying for parking.

‘‘There has been no consultation, which is the other issue. We haven’t been approached.’’

Europa Deli owner Michael Curtis described the proposal as shortsighted and stupid and said it would just keep driving customers to shopping centres with free parking.

‘‘If you put a disincentive there for people that will keep happening,’’ he said.

‘‘What are they going to do to the middle of Shepparton, kill it?’’

Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jamie Cox said while it was a commercial decision for Lascorp it was the opposite of what traders wanted generally.

‘‘Certainly where the chamber wants to go is with free timed parking. I think it will be counterproductive for the traders in Vaughan St,’’ he said.

The almost 4ha site encompassing the former IGA supermarket and car park at the southern side of Vaughan St and the existing Coles and Kmart on the northern side was bought by property group Lascorp in June last year.

Lascorp is proceeding with a scaled-down plan which will actually reduce the floor space, but significantly improve the look of the retail area.

The council is a partner in the beautification of the streetscape and a realignment of traffic and pedestrian flow to make the precinct more attractive to shoppers.

The council confirmed all but one of the seven relevant planning permits had been issued by the planning department and the roadworks contract will be completed by the same deadline Lascorp plans for commercial development, which should be November.