New and modified parking controls will be installed across several City of Canning suburbs after council approved changes at its 16 June ordinary meeting.
Council unanimously approved parking plans covering locations in Bentley, Riverton, Parkwood, Rossmoyne and Canning Vale.
The changes affect areas around Bentley Primary School, Al-Hidayah Islamic School, Hedley Park, Riverton Primary School, Lynwood Senior High School, Parkwood Primary School, Rossmoyne Senior High School and Barley Place in Canning Vale.
City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said the new and modified parking control signs were expected to be installed within the next two to eight weeks.
He said most of the locations were in precincts around schools.
“The changes were required to accommodate school growth, modifications to school operations and improvements to traffic flow,” he said.
According to the City, the review of parking control signs followed safety concerns raised by community members, City Community Safety Officers or the City’s Traffic and Transport Engineers.
The concerns were monitored through multiple site inspections.
The council report said the proposed changes were also guided by consultation with affected residents and relevant stakeholders.
The approved changes include new and extended no stopping and no parking zones, changes to school-day parking restrictions, bus zone changes on Metcalfe Road and parking control changes in the Canning Vale industrial area.
Cr Ben Kunze, speaking in his own capacity and not on behalf of the City or Council, said traffic and parking remained an issue around some local schools.
“Our local public schools are some of the most successful schools in the State, and so they have attracted many people to our community,” he said.
“This success has brought challenges, with student numbers far higher than these schools were built to cater for, and so traffic congestion is an ongoing issue, as is parking.”
Cr Kunze said he had spoken with staff, school boards, parents and local residents about issues around Riverton Primary Campus and Rossmoyne Senior High School, particularly during drop-off and pick-up times.
He said the changes endorsed by council did not completely prohibit parking along the affected roads.
“The changes that Council endorsed have not completely prohibited parking along these roads, rather prohibited parking along one side of the road to ensure cars can move freely,” he said.
“Nearby residents have raised concerns that they have sometimes been unable to exit their driveways, and so these changes will help address that.”
Cr Kunze said the parking changes around Riverton Primary Campus were one measure being used to improve safety.
He said other measures included a Kiss and Ride area at Riverton Leisureplex, planned zebra crossings on Riley Road, connecting paths to encourage walking and cycling, and flashing wig wag lights on Vahland Avenue.
“Given the strong demand for these schools, there will always be a parking shortfall; however we will continue to look at ways to improve safety and reduce congestion for the benefit of students and nearby residents,” he said.
Mayor Hall said Community Safety Officers would educate motorists and issue cautions in the first instance after the signs were installed, before moving to infringement notices for associated offences.
He said the City would monitor the new and modified parking control signs after a settling-in period to see whether they had achieved the desired outcome.
If further changes are needed, another report would be presented to council for consideration.
City officers are also proposing to develop a Parking Management Plan over the next 12 months.
Mayor Hall said the plan would outline a clear strategy for parking-related decision-making in the City.
He said it would include reviewing and monitoring parking requirements, travel demand management, time restrictions and paid parking in the Canning City Centre as it develops, parking education, technology, and a review of the City’s Parking Local Law.
The City said there were no plans for additional parking control signs or traffic management measures in the precincts considered at the June 16 meeting.
