A refurbishment was completed recently at Oakleigh Central, which included, amongst other things, new brighter lighting, and an improved security system with more cameras.
However, as a part of this new look Oakleigh Central, has introduced a new parking system. The previous regime of three hours free parking is now scrapped and reduced to 90 minutes free, or 2 hours free with purchases of $30 and over from Coles and Woolworths, that are located in the shopping centre. From 1.5 to 2 hours you'll have to pay $2, 2-3 hours $5, 3-4 hours $10, 4-5 hours $20 and over 5 hours $30.
Disabled parking is free, but registering your vehicle is essential if you want to park in the underground parking area.
The new parking system includes parking guidance technology for easier tracking of parking spaces and most importantly ticketless technology with license plate recognition.
The new charges and the ticketless technology which could pose major challenges for elderly, especially from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities (CALD), are the issues that have caused most objections and reactions.
The MP for the State seat of Oakleigh, Steve Dimopoulos, has raised his concerns in a letter to the parent company, Vicinity Group and has launched a campaign on Facebook.
The company argues, that it has "introduced the new parking system in response to feedback from our customers, who have told us the car park at Oakleigh Centre has become congested by commuters using the available parking".
