BMWMCCWA

There have been a few different threads containing talk of finding a new location for our Sunday Morning breakfast meets. I hope in this post to address all the questions and put straight some of the mis information that has been going around.

With the advent of the parking meter appearring near Catalanos there has been talk of imminent parking infringements for occupying our usual Sunday morning spot. This led on to talk that Catalano's would not support our petitioning the council to limit the new parking restrictions or at least provide more MC bays. It then went further to talk that Catalanos couldnt care less about our business and that we should move somewhere else.

This morning I spokje directly with Dom Catalano and put the questions to him does he want our ongoing Sunday morning patronage and what does he think about the parking matter.

Dom was most suprised to hear that there was suggestion he does not want our business and emphatically stressed that the club is allways very welcome at Catalanos and that he does not want to loose our patronage. He went on to say that he has complained to the council about the new parking restrictions and has asked that they at least be relaxed on Sundays when congestion is not usually an issue. Dom also indicated that many of the other local businesses have voiced a similar complaint. The response he has received from the council is that they are operating a 6 month trial at the end of which they will assess all complaints and views and make a determination. Dom pointed out that if our members are concerned about the parking enforcement they are welcome to use the parking behind Catalanos adjascent to John Hughes Mitsubishi.
He went on to say that the club has been patronising Catalano's for years now and that he values our custom hence his ongoing willingness to contribute to our annual events with a sponsorship of a dinner for 2 voucher which we have in the past offered as a prize for events like the camp cook off.

So we are welcome at Catalanos, Dom is still keen to sponsor us each year, the parking on Sunday mornings has yet to become an issue, I have seen no enforcement or tickets as yet. For my part I think the service the girls provide at Catalanos has been great and I see no need to move on at this time. Should club members as a majority feel they want to find a new venmue that better suits our needs then lets have that discussion at the club GM's and if agreed we can set about locating an appropriate venue. In the interim I for one am happy to keep going to Catalano's which ticks the box for being Central, easy to access and accomodating of our bikes and business.

I did write to the Mayor of Victoria Park some weeks back but have not received a reply, I will follow this up and add any further detail to this post as it comes to hand.

JonO

Further to the Presidents sensible and calming response to this issue, I took it upon myself to ring the Vic Park planning officer in charge of the parking. She was not aware of Jons letter to the Mayor but would look into it. I mentioned that we had quite a bit of concern about getting parking fines with the new parking meter situation. I also asked about getting some sort of exemption to the current parking situation for our club having breakfast at Cats between 7.30 and 9.30 on the Sun morning.
The person in charge Lisa responded that our request sounded reasonable and now they were aware of our situation they would consider incorporating our requirements in their parking plan. She said that there would not be any ranger fining us for parking our bikes where we normally park them and if any ranger did try then to ask them to contact her to verify this. She indicated that they would be possibly amending the situation and to re- contact her in 1 months time so she can let us know what will be happening. She has my e-mail contact if anything else comes up in the meantime.
So the message I got was do what we have been doing and don't get phased by getting parking tickets even if we are occupying car spaces.
That is if members feel they still require Cats as their Sun breaky ride departure point
Bill

Lets stick with it and carry on business as usual at Cats

An interesting response to Jono's approach to the management at Cat's. If this proves to be correct, I for one will be very happy, However I will stand by the information that I received from a club member who currently enjoys good standing with the club as being correct. (No names, No pack drill)

After discovering the lack of response to Jono's letter, Bills direct approach to Victoria Park Council appears to have proven to have had a promising and positive response. Well Done Bill.

The main reason I have not attended Cat's over the last few weeks has been my very real concern about receiving a Parking Infringement Notice from the Council.( I can ill afford to pay fines)

The info I later received regarding Cat's Management attitude to our custom really settled the issue for me.

Not withstanding the above issues I would like to say catergorically that I have attended many breakfasts at Cat's over the last couple of years of being a member of the great club.

I have always enjoyed the cameraderie, Friendship and Social atmosphere associated with these functions and normally look forward to attending on Sunday mornings.

I must admit also to being a little gobsmacked by the ability of the wait girls at Cat's to remember Club Members individual names and nick names whilst always providind service with a smile.

I now look forward to seeing an end to this very sorry business that has ensued by the Council installing Parking Meters recently.

Hopefully both issues, One with the Council and the other with Cat's Management can be resolved sooner rather than later and in our favour so we can all go back to enjoying riding motorcycles,enjoying, good food and life AND all without Parking Tickets.

I look forward to your responses

Swampy

PS: Di Mondos in Midland is still a good alternative, Dependent on the decision of the majority

bowewilson@gmail.com wrote:Lets stick with it and carry on business as usual at Cats

Not withstanding my last thread Bowe, It is a long way to Midland, especially when you ride a push bike eh

Swampy

Keeping you folks up to date, I had a reply from the mayor of Victoria Park today seeking to set up a meeting to discuss the parking arrangements. I will reply with more details once this has taken place.

Good work Jono....and others.

Thank you for your efforts.