The meeting with businesses and representatives of Northern Grampians Shire Council comes after a recent parking fiasco in the town.

Signs on Napier Street, erected in late February, warned drivers they no longer had 90 minutes to occupy a parking bay, but one hour instead. The council later apologised to residents, saying the change had occurred by mistake. 

Council representatives have since been talking with the community about parking restrictions and relevant signs.

The feedback would inform the development of a new concept parking plan, which will then go on display to the public for review.

More than 35 St Arnaud business owners along Napier Street were given a short survey, with feedback suggesting businesses were generally satisfied with the 90-minute time restriction, as well as the number of signs within St Arnaud’s main retail and business area.

Results also showed that 80 per cent of business owners would be in favour of extending parking restrictions to two hours. Owners also pushed for increased enforcement of parking restrictions along the strip.

Other items consistently raised via the survey included the location and placement disabled parking and loading bays.

There was also an indication that the current taxi rank location satisfies the majority of local businesses.

Northern Grampians Mayor Tony Driscoll applauded business owners for taking the time to provide the council with their “valuable input” towards this issue.

“Engagement practices such as this are crucial for us to understand what it is that the community wants, and it’s important for us to continue to regularly consult with residents,” Cr Driscoll said.

“This particular consultation effort has helped us gain better insight into the needs of our St Arnaud business owners, and we can now use that data to make a decision that best reflects their desires.”

The meeting with business owners came after residents shared their concerns about parking and other issues in the town at a council meeting. 

The residents believe St Arnaud is the “forgotten town" of the shire and have called for more communication and consultation between them and the council.