Call for answers on paid parking trial - MPNEWS

A local community association is seeking transparency regarding a council’s paid parking trial by filing a freedom of information request. They aim to uncover consultant reports questioning the scheme's viability and challenge the business case that moved the proposal forward without prior community consultation. Critics argue the policy risks harming local aquaculture businesses and excluding older residents and low-income families who may lack access to the required digital payment technology. Furthermore, they highlight safety concerns for families, noting that displaced parking could force pedestrians into hazardous traffic areas due to inadequate infrastructure. This situation illustrates the critical role of open data and information access in local governance. By demanding public records, citizens ensure that decision-making processes remain transparent and accountable, allowing communities to effectively challenge policies that lack evidence or ignore local economic and social impacts.

Source: mpnews.com.au
Published on 2023-07-19