A ‘CALL to action’ meeting of CBD business owners will be held tonight to discuss the recent installation of new parking meters, with associated restrictions, claiming the new installations were “having a major impact on (sic) trade”.

The aim of the meeting was for the business community to come together and develop an action plan.

This follows a petition against the parking meters currently circulating in businesses in the CBD for patrons to sign, however, tonight’s meeting posed to represent the views of local businesses.

Multiple businesses have reported that the parking meters were having a negative impact on foot trade, however, asked to remain anonymous at this time.

The meeting being held vastly differentiates from an earlier informal survey conducted by the Hamilton Regional Business Association (HRBA) which reported a majority positive response to the parking meters from a business perspective.

Since the cashless parking meters were installed mid-January, and enforced as of March 1, many businesses in the CBD have since expressed concerns regarding a reduction in customers, and therefore sales as a result of the public avoiding paid parking.

Businesses involved in the union have understood the anxiety and frustration from customers that can be associated with using parking meters and were therefore placing pressure on the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) to help support impacted businesses by changing regulations - or removing the meters altogether.

While some users took to the new system like ducks to water, others took to social media to express their frustration and concerns for local businesses who have been affected.

“These meters will have a detrimental effect on retail in Hamilton,” one said.

“A repeated request from retailers to have the first half hour or even hour free has been ignored by the Southern Grampians Shire Council. It is very short sighted of the Council.”

One Gray Street retailer told The Spectator that the biggest initial concern from customers was that they didn’t know how to use them.

Another trader reported a noticeable decline in morning business – they claimed up to 80 per cent down on some days.

Despite residents initially having a one-month grace period, and now over two weeks of enforced parking rules, business and revenue in the CBD was believed to have not returned to its original level.

The ‘Call to Action’ has been circulated as a private meeting for business owners and aimed to encourage CBD businesses to express concerns on parking meters, among other issues, including the Cox St closure, and the removal of rubbish bins.

The SGSC have expressed that they are aware of the meeting being held and said that they are doing their best to support the businesses that have expressed concerns.  

“We are aware that residents are meeting to discuss these important matters,” a SGSC spokesperson said.

“Mayor Councillor David Robertson has offered to attend these meetings to discuss issues directly and the business group have accepted his offer.”