General News
9 December, 2025
Parking shortage sparks council frustration
ARARAT Rural City Council says the massive expansion of East Grampians Health Service without provision for extra parking is largely behind a chronic lack of parking being experienced by staff, visitors and volunteers.
The Advocate recently reported volunteers with the East Grampians Health Service Residents Support Group had been fined for illegally parking on Lowe Street near the Garden View Court aged care home.
The volunteers, some of whom have mobility issues, say the lack of parking near Garden View Court in particular, is hampering their ability to help with the care and activities they help facilitate with residents at the aged care facility.
Volunteers had previously parked on the verge along Lowe Street, but Council has recently become proactive by issuing fines for illegal parking.
Mayor Bob Sanders met with some of the volunteers last week and promised he would take their concerns back to council.
Council says it has given people plenty of warning and recently replaced the old, fading No Standing signs in Lowe Street.
While the Lowe Street aged care facility has an adjoining carpark, there is no parking immediately available near the second aged care facility, Garden View Court.
Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said it was unfair to blame council for the lack of parking.
“Council usually has some control over parking outcomes when it comes to general development through planning laws, but that’s not the case for state-run facilities like hospitals and schools, which are largely exempt.
“Council absolutely supports the continued growth of EGHS and the vital service it provides across our region,” Dr Harrison said.
“However, parking for staff, patients and visitors needs to be properly planned from the outset – it’s not fair for this to become Council’s problem later. I’ll be speaking with the EGHS CEO about setting up a clear process to manage parking as development continues,” he said.
“Community safety is one of Council’s top priorities, and that means thinking carefully about everyone who uses this area – hospital staff and volunteers, patients and their families, visitors, and other road users,” Dr Harrison said.
“When parking isn’t well planned, it creates unnecessary risks for people walking or driving nearby. That’s why it’s important for all partners to take responsibility and make sure safe, legal parking is part of any future development.”
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