STATE Local Government Minister Richard Wynne has turned down a request to mediate the parking dispute between Maribyrnong City Council and irate traders.

Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn called on Mr Wynne last month to convene and chair a meeting between the council and the Save Our Footscray committee to help diffuse the parking camera dispute that has seen over 30,000 fines issued.

According to a response sent to Mr Finn’s office last week, the matter was up to the council “to determine the scope of administering and enforcing this important responsibility subject to any legislative constraints.”

“Maribyrnong City Council, along with all other councils, has been given statutory powers to regulate parking within its municipal district for the purpose of providing for safe, efficient and equitable road use,” the response read.

Mr Finn was furious with the response and said the parking cameras should be scrapped.