Business owners told to ?rebel? over parking permits
BY PATRICK BILLINGS
Business owners are calling on council to include them in the city’s parking permit scheme. After the recent parking meter increases, some business owners are paying $5.50 an hour to park their cars. Under the current scheme, parking permits are not guaranteed, and are only available to business owners in parts of Ultimo, Pyrmont and Glebe.
Coffee Cup On Crown owner Jan Schmidt has been fined three times in the last two weeks. The Darlinghurst cafe owner, who regularly works 14-hour days, is upset that council overlooks businesses when it comes to parking.
‘We pay rent, insurance, land tax, water rates and huge council rates, we should be entitled to parking permits,’ she said.
According to the City of Sydney, businesses contribute $150 million a year to council coffers, funding more than half of the city’s running costs. On average, business owners are paying around $7500 a year in rates and charges.
Bryan Adams of the Surry Hills Business Alliance said many business owners are incensed.
‘It’s a revenue grab and’ it’s the small business person keeping the council there,’ he said. ‘Businesses have got to get up in arms and rebel.’
The Lord Mayor Clover Moore said parking is extremely limited and business concerns are being addressed.
Sydney Liberal Edward Mandla, known as the ‘parking candidate’, believes the current system is absurd.
‘We see parking as really important while the current council wants everybody on bikes,’ he said.
Mrs Schmidt said switching to a motorbike was simply impractical. ‘I’m 57 and my husband is 65, so it’s a bit late for that, but I have actually thought about it,’ she laughed.
