Paul Burke states that there is “no evidence that businesses would be adversely affected.” Research by Monash University certainly casts major doubt on such a statement!
Driving a changed approach to shopping
11 April 2013
Parking restrictions, single lanes, local council controlled parking areas, higher parking fees, train crossings and traffic lights were seen as barriers to shopping at local centres.
Small suburban shopping centres are disproportionately threatened by policies on climate change and traffic congestion that discourage consumers from using their cars, research shows.
The Monash University study found many people already favour larger shopping malls over local centres because of the perceived ease of parking and access.
Dr Vaughan Reimers from the Department of Marketing examined the importance shoppers gave to car convenience, recognising that urban sprawl and decentralised retail options had contributed to reliance on the car. He found that irrespective of age, gender or income, shoppers regarded access and parking as important determinants of where they chose to shop.
He also assessed perceptions of shopping malls and shopping strips, and then compared the actual level of convenience provided by both for people travelling by car. The results were published in Transportation Research Part A.
Dr Reimers’ study showed that although shopping malls had more parking than local centres, people were more likely to be able to park close to desired stores at their local centre. However, it was commonly believed that large shopping complexes always had better parking options – a belief that has helped contribute to the rise of the mall.
Parking restrictions, single lanes, local council controlled parking areas, higher parking fees, train crossings and traffic lights were seen as barriers to shopping at the smaller centres by respondents.
“On the basis of the results of this study, any strategies designed to deter car-usage are likely to tip the balance even further in favour of the mall,” Dr Reimers said.
“Many policies related to tackling climate change have not only failed to achieve their objective but have also had a negative effect on the retail sector.”
Dr Reimers said modern transport systems needed to find a balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth, a fact that was particularly significant in light of the competitive disadvantage faced by suburban shopping centres.
“Policy makers and urban planners must give careful consideration to the negative consequences that may stem from strategies designed to deter car-based shopping,” Dr Reimers said.
Source: http://monash.edu/news/show/driving-a-changed-approach-to-shopping
Glen Eira Debates 
April 29, 2014 at 10:19 AM
Talk about a Council overkill.Poor traders.Where are you Margaret?
April 29, 2014 at 10:43 AM
If pedestrian safety is the primary concern here then there are cheaper and more community minded options available instead of removing all car parking opposite these shops. A pedestrian crossing for example and, if money is available a set of lights so that people can cross Bambra Road safely. Yes, I do shop here and drink the occasional coffee at Fress.
April 29, 2014 at 9:37 PM
Council only says what it should like an empty vessel which is a great sound but no real serious thought.. just view Carnegie… jam packed already and now more units about seventy or eighty and a gymnasium too all on Neerim Road near Koornang Road and a 100 seat restaurant at 96 Koornang Road all with car parking requirements waived.
In addition to this Mayor Pilling, the Green Man, when supporting the Moreton Ave unit development’s request for car parking concessions added intellectually that he supposed the visitors could park in the railway car park.
Unfortunately, I wish to point out that I do not wish to carry ten kilograms of onions, ten kilograms pof potatoes and beautiful meat from the butchers too far… so close parking is essential. The rates are so expensive there is little change and the discretionary spending only buys solid food for home processing.
April 29, 2014 at 10:25 PM
Mayor Pilling also believes we should have vehicles like in the Jetsons and park them 10 high on top of each other. Aaaaah those Greens!
April 30, 2014 at 6:31 PM
From within a few nanoseconds of the invention of the motor car, pedestrians have been relegated to the status of unimportant obstacles. What an age of entitlement! It’s very hard to see much of the footpath, what with the hoardings and tables and business people vociferously arguing for their self-interest. It is quite appropriate for Council to install a pedestrian refuge at this location, and if that means the loss of some on-street parking, so be it.
Far from being a local business, the very argument that Fress Cafe’s health revolves around people driving to it means it is not a local business. Local businesses serve local needs, and that means people living within walking distance—or perhaps cycling distance.