Ticket machines installed in Bendigo car park

The ticket machines appeared late last week in the car park on the corner of Williamson and McLaren streets, accompanied by signs that informed motorists they would have to pay a flat fee of $3 for 12 hours in the 24-hour car park.

But a VicTrack spokesman said the car park had never been “a commuter car park”.

“Until late last year, it was a staff and customer car park under lease to a local business,” he said.

“The $3-a-day car parking on Williamson Street will help meet the demand from shoppers for more car parking options near the CBD, and also help solve the problem of shoppers and retail staff taking up rail commuters’ car parking spaces.”

Some were also annoyed that fees could not be paid by card.

But Yolanda Torrisi from Care Park, the company operating the site, said credit card surcharges would push the parking fee up.

Failing to buy a ticket or breaching any other condition will incur a fine of $68.

“It would be among the cheapest car parks in Bendigo with other council-run car parks charging $6 daily or even up to $7.50,” Ms Torrisi said.

There are two free and unlimited off-street car parks operated by the City of Greater Bendigo, one in Uley Street near Bridge Street, and the other in Gladstone Street, behind the train station.