Bondi “pimps” avoid government parking levy

By Joseph Hull

Bondi residents are cashing in on government changes to parking levies throughout Sydney by “pimping” their free garage spaces and earning extra cash.

From July 1, the NSW Government will increase the levy for off street, non-residential parking spaces in the Sydney, Milsons Point and North Sydney business districts. The current annual levy of $950 will increase to $2,000 in those areas, with an increase from $470 to $710 per annum in Bondi Junction, Chatswood, Parramatta and St Leonards.

“The object of the Parking Space Levy Act is to discourage car use in business districts and to use the revenue raised to provide facilities and services that encourage the use of public transport,” said ALP member Penny Sharpe in the second reading speech.

But Bondi residents can potentially make up to $80 per week in privately renting out unused car spaces, frustrating government attempts at revenue raising, while offsetting increasing rents and living expenses.

Francis Armstrong, the founder of findacarpark.com.au, hopes to provide Sydneysiders with alternative parking options, linking people with free car spaces or driveways with car users eager for a cheap spot.

“When the State Government chose to jack up the car parking levy by 110 per cent from July 1, they forgot that Sydneysiders are smart and enterprising,” he said.

The levy changes, while promoting public transport and car sharing, is liable to be criticised for being unjustly harsh in difficult financial times, while unfairly favouring the wealthy elite who can afford to park in the levied areas.