Plea minister: stop those parking meters

Jane Emerick
Community groups will demand the Planning Minister stop installation of parking meters at Torquay.
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association will ask Justin Madden to either disband or shake up the committee over its plan for the meters in surf beach car parks.
State Government has control over the coast committee, which manages foreshore areas along the Surf Coast.
The Government created the committee after amalgamating Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne foreshore committees in 2004.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield last month told the Independent he “preferred” no meters but could not influence the coast committee.
However, committee executive officer David Clarke this week confirmed to the Independent that his organisation “reported” to the Planning Minister and Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The community and ratepayers’ association secretary, Lyn Smith, said the group was frustrated at the lack of community consultation over the parking meters.
She said the association would approach surf clubs to have input on a letter asking Mr Madden to make the coast committee drop its meters plan.
“There is great animosity in the community over the lack of consultation prior to the decision to go ahead with the meters,” Ms Smith said.
“We believe there’s other ways for it to fund its projects. There’s also a sentiment that the committee wastes money and doesn’t prioritise what actually needs to be done.
“The committee’s original purpose was to protect the beach and keep it clean and tidy but now they want exotic things they can’t afford.”
A member of the former Torquay foreshore committee, Alan Coulson, backed the letter to Justin Madden.
Mr Coulson said the new organisation was living beyond its means.
“You have to work within your budget and these people haven’t done that. It’s not good management.” Mr Coulson said.
“With the old foreshore committees you had to have public consultation and these people haven’t done that, either.”
Planning Minister Justin Madden declined to comment on the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.