A local council has voted to suspend parking meters in Melbourne's west after earlier debate about the introduction of the machines turned violent.

Maribyrnong City councillors and locals in Yarraville have been at loggerheads over paid parking in the area.

The meters were introduced in Yarraville earlier this year despite protests from residents and traders who said it was driving customers away from the village shops.

Last month punches and chairs were thrown, and two councillors allegedly assaulted, when a council meeting turned violent during a debate about the meters.

In a special meeting held in response to the dramatic outburst, the council agreed to suspend paid parking in Yarraville, and also Footscray, until February.

It decided the compromise would stand while a traffic study was conducted on the effects on local traffic and business.

Trevor Junge from the Yarraville Trader's Association labelled the decision "fantastic".

"I don't pretend to understand the psychology of parking meters," he said.

"We basically have councils that see they can make revenue from local people coming to do their local shopping, I don't understand it.

"So it's a great day to actually see them giving us a bit of a break."

Maribyrnong Mayor Cameron McDonald said the study would help the council make "make a more informed decision".

"The suspension should assist local traders and encourage shoppers over the Christmas, New Year and school holiday retail period," he said.

Cr McDonald said they would continue to work with local businesses, but more proof would be needed to back up claims about any adverse effects of the meters.

"Moving forward, we will be requesting solid statistics as evidence of trading figures rather than the anecdotal reports received to date," he said.

Megan Darling from the Say No Paid Parking had previously said it was "frustrating" that the councillors smirked at them "as they inflict this damage on us".

"People are bankrupt, they're defaulting on mortgages. This is through one single action that our councillors smile at us as they install [parking meters]," she said.