General News
16 October, 2023
Patchworkers' parking stitch-uation
A patchworker's group is annoyed that Horsham Rural City Council has dismissed their concerns over parking issues near the city's Mibus Centre in McLachlan Street by offering unworkable solutions. The 30-member group had met there for several...
A patchworker's group is annoyed that Horsham Rural City Council has dismissed their concerns over parking issues near the city's Mibus Centre in McLachlan Street by offering unworkable solutions.
The 30-member group had met there for several decades and is one of seven groups to use a large, upstairs craft room above Horsham Library.
When Horsham Patchwork Quilters put their concerns to Mayor Robyn Gulline she suggested that they start earlier to access more available car parks, move to another venue, or move under the umbrella of a group such as U3A to make use of their facilities.
All are unworkable.
Patchworker Pam Langlands received a parking fine of $74, despite moving her car after two hours to another spot within the unzoned car park, thinking that was all that was needed.
Mrs Langlands was initially informed that the car park, although unsigned, was listed as zone one and, to continue parking there, she needed to move to a zone two area for at least half an hour before returning.
Mrs Langlands said by the meeting time of 10am, all four-hour places were taken.
The patchworkers are now working with council to have this fine annulled.
Quilters president Lea Crammond said women with sewing machines or other heavy or bulky items now have to stop in front of the library, drop off their items, then find a park before walking back to the building to carry their items to the room.
Many of the members are elderly or have mobility issues.
Sewing, patchwork and belonging to the group is important to them, their mental health and their social inclusion.
Mrs Crammond said finding another venue is not possible.
The room they use has overhead power points, a large waist-high table for pinning quilts, storage cupboards as well as a store room which holds club-bought items for members' use.
"Also, all members belong to the Makers Gallery which paid more than half the cost of the $50,000 lift that was installed," she said.
"Where would we find all this large space and all these facilities."
Mrs Crammond said the group is aiming to increase membership but attendance numbers have fallen since the new parking meters were introduced.
"And many of our members are not staying for lunch because they feel that if they go to the trouble of moving their car, they may as well just go home," she said.
"The camaraderie between sewers is important and they lose out if they don't stay for the full session. A $3 parking fee adds to the expense of the day".
* Since giving details for this story Mrs Crammond and the patchworkers have had discussions with Horsham Rural City Council and believe that solutions will be found.