Scarborough business owners concerned at wheel clamping

SCARBOROUGH business owners are urging a more collaborative approach to parking following concerns of an increase in wheel clamping.

According to strata managing agent Realmark Leederville, a wheel clamping contractor had been operating at the private carpark of businesses at 23 Scarborough Beach Road for about three years.

Neighbouring owners Stuart Wright, of The Yoga Garage, and Wayne Bowen, who runs The Surf Boardroom, believe effects had worsened in the past six months and wanted a more collaborative approach between businesses in the area.

Surf shop customer Sarah Hall and her partner were hit with a $380 fine after using the carpark to visit Mr Bowen’s store.

She said the $170 fine increased after they argued against it and had to wait for her partner’s dad to arrive and pay to remove the clamp.

Ms Hall said the sign upon entering stated there was a one-hour parking limit but did not realise they could not use it for the surf shop.

“It kind of put us off (visiting Scarborough) a bit,” she said.

“We probably wouldn’t trust having to park anywhere.”

Tania Knight and about six other yoga participants had their car wheels clamped and fined $170 each in July after attending an evening class.

She believed it was the appropriate carpark for the yoga centre and did not see the sign.

“I legitimately did not realise it was a clamping zone,” she said.

“It seems completely unjust and uncalled for.

“We’ve got a carpark that’s empty at night.”

Mr Wright said there was parking behind his business but it was often full and wanted more understanding from his neighbours.

“They’re not releasing the car until they pay but members often have no way to pay or a mobile so I’ve had to pay to have their car released,” he said.

“I think we need to take a realistic approach to it.”

He found clamping was often done at night when the majority of businesses were closed.

Realmark Strata general manager Sandy Papalia said they were “required to act on the instructions of the council of owners of the strata company”.

The business owners declined or did not respond to requests for comment.

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