Jaidyn Kennedy
Wyndham council has issued a series of $99 fines to two staff and three patrons of Werribee RSL, earning backlash from the venue.
The fines were issued for exceeding the two-hour limit at the nearby Kelly Park Centre, which has been out of use since 2022.
Receptionist Aisha Nazifovski was one of the two staff members fined. She explained that staff members allow elderly patrons to park in staff spaces closer to the venue to make it easier for them to access the site.
Staff, in turn, park near Kelly Park.
“The two closest lines to the venue are actually our allocated parking, and we do like to leave those free to our patrons being elderly,” she said.
“We have patrons here who are 94 years old.”
The RSL fears that some patrons will be deterred from regularly attending the venue due to the fines and time limits.
“We’ve got bingo that runs on a Monday from 12pm to 3pm – that’s over the two hours. These ladies pay $2 for a buy-in for a day out because they’re pensioners,” Ms Nazifovski said.
“Then that’s their social network gone.”
RSL manager Nicole Canepa said this was the first time this had occurred.
Expressing concerns about the impact recurring fines could have on the business, she said, “People will go straight past us”.
“People do treat this like a second home, and feel safe here.”
While accepting the outcome, she was disappointed with the decision.
“I understand the reason the council did (fine us), but we thought they would have given us leeway – especially because of our demographics.” she said.
Council said the local area has many alternative parking options, listing all-day free parking at the West End car park, $5 all day parking at Holiday Inn, The 3P Cherry Street car park and free spaces on surrounding residential streets.
A council spokesperson said, “time-restricted parking areas encourage vehicle turnover to allow access to businesses and ensure that parking spaces are not taken by commuters.
“All infringements that have been issued are consistent with other parking areas within Wyndham and all signs were clearly displayed and visible. “
Council said that for patrons with mobility issues, displaying an accessible parking permit extends the allowed parking time to double the signed allowance, in this case four hours instead of two hours.
