Clearway lanes within a 20km radius of the CBD will be converted to tow-away, in effect draining millions from councils.
Clearway lanes within a 20-kilometre radius from the CBD will be converted to tow-away zones and motorists will be slapped with new parking fines under an Andrews government plan set to drain millions of dollars from local council coffers.
Boroondara council, in Melbourne’s inner-eastern suburbs, has been enforcing 44 clearways in its municipality for several decades and estimates it will lose about $600,000 annually after the recent changes.The decision, which was announced to councils at a meeting in July, is expected to punch a significant hole in the finances of other municipalities, which have been battered by the closure of recreation centres and a slump in revenue from parking fines due to coronavirus restrictions.
The changes don't require changes to legislation and will be gazetted by the state government. The state will take over clearway enforcement and collect revenue on existing tow-away lanes from October 1. The move has been welcomed by the trucking industry and RACV general manager of public policy Bryce Prosser, who said it would ease bottlenecks at a time when traffic was set to worsen.
The Moreland Council, in the inner north, estimates it will lose about $900,000 annually from the shift in enforcement powers. A Transport Department spokesman said Nationwide Towing would take date and time stamp photos of vehicles and the department would issue manual infringements."We want to ensure our road network works as efficiently as possible, particularly as more people are expected to use cars to get around when coronavirus restrictions ease."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Donald Trump prepared to spend 'whatever it takes' on re-election bidIf Trump did substantially self-fund his campaign he would follow in the footsteps of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who spent $US1.75 million of his own money to help the Liberal Party win the 2016 election.
Read more »
Donald Trump prepared to spend 'whatever it takes' on re-election bidTrump's comments came after reports emerged showing his campaign team had blown the huge cash advantage it once held over Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Read more »
Huge fire breaks out at Beirut port a month after explosionThe Lebanese Army said the fire was at a warehouse in the duty free zone at the port where oil and tyres are kept.
Read more »
Off Melbourne's streets since March, buskers weigh up the 'gramThe City of Melbourne is about to launch a 'Tip My Hat' competition for Melbourne's audience-starved buskers, inviting them to send videos of their performances to be showcased on Instagram.
Read more »
Restaurant reopens after one lunch service led to 103 COVID-19 cases — but diners stay awayWestern Sydney's Thai Rock restaurant made national headlines when more than 100 coronavirus cases were linked to a lunch service — it reopened last week, but now, there's another problem.
Read more »
Melbourne lockdown fines: Anti-mask Karen refuses to wear three masksAn anti-mask Karen has been fined at a Melbourne train station after refusing a very easy solution offered to her by police three times.
Read more »