City moves to halt parking variations
Image: Glebe Point Road
The City of Sydney is set to trial a range of new measures aimed at combating the area’s extensive residential and business parking problems.
The trial includes 15-minute free parking, a move to minimise excessive signposting and the removal of wild variations in time restrictions. The City of Sydney has foreshadowed “the addition of stickers notifying people that visitor permits apply in certain areas”.
Costings for the trial of 15-minute free parking on major retail streets have not yet been completed, but the City maintains “the price of the proposed visitor permits will be set to cover costs”.
“Competing demands for space on our neighbourhood streets is putting additional pressure on our limited spaces,” said a City of Sydney spokesperson.
“This plan seeks to strike a balance between the needs of residents, visitors and businesses. It aims to address Sydney’s complex parking controls including time limits, permits and boundaries of precincts.”
With an expected population boost of 72,000 residents over 25 years, the growth forecast is a key driver of change in parking policy. According to City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster, the finite number of parking spots in and around Sydney makes this a “front of mind issue” for most residents.
“Nobody you talk to is happy about the parking. This is a good draft policy that will go a long way to helping residents and businesses,” said Ms Forster.
Not everyone is sold on the plan, though. “Councils do their very best to make it as difficult as they can for small businesses,” said Brian Adams, chairman of the Surry Hills Business Alliance.
“CBD parking is overly expensive and absurd. While 15 minutes of free parking is a step forward, it’s insufficient.”
“We need relief for businesses – I am astounded at the amount of businesses up for lease [along Cleveland St] because they cannot cope with conditions.”
The Draft Neighbourhood Parking Policy will not affect parking in the CBD and is on public exhibition until Friday, July 5.
