FOOTSCRAY traders are stepping up the pressure on the parking meter debate, calling on prospective candidates to declare their position ahead of this month’s council elections.

The Footscray Asian Business Association, in conjunction with the Vietnamese community, is lobbying candidates to oppose the installation of further parking meters in the city if elected.

While council had previously passed a resolution to install more parking meters in the Footscray shopping precinct, it later agreed to defer the decision, bowing to vehement trader opposition.

But traders say that’s not good enough.

“We want a promise that these parking meters will not be installed,” said FABA President Benny Binh Le.

“These machines will disadvantage Footscray from other shopping centres in the West and have a bad impact on our businesses.”

The traders have launched their own pressure campaign, contacting council candidates to garner their support.

Mr Le said the campaign was gaining momentum, with 15 out of 38 candidates vowing to block the proposal.

Of the 15 candidates backing the traders, 10 had stated they were strongly opposed to the installation of further machines.

A further 11 candidates had stopped short of pledging their support, saying their decision would depend on the outcome of a review into the issue.

Of the total 38 candidates, 12 had not responded.

Mr Le said the association would be distributing the results of their candidate survey to businesses throughout Maribyrnong and would be encouraging residents to vote for candidates who had voiced support.

“It’s a very important issue for us and we want to see the councillors supporting what is important to the community,” Mr Le said.