Anger brewing over East Sydney parking meters

A campaign has been launched to halt the City of Sydney Council introducing parking meters throughout East Sydney.

The City of Sydney is consulting with the community about increasing the number of parking meters in the Darlinghurst region and will make a decision in coming weeks.

In spite of the consultations, members of the community are concerned about the effects parking meters may have on business.

Sue Ritchie, Vice-President of the 2010 Business Partnership and co-owner of the Beauchamp Hotel on Oxford St, said customers would be deterred by parking meters.

“I believe that parking meters in commercial strips are a deterrent for customers. They create an obstacle for a customer as they have to physically go and pay for parking via meters,” said Ms Ritchie.

Ms Ritchie is fearful parking meters may damage the integrity of the heritage of East Sydney.

“In a heritage area [like East Sydney], I believe parking meters are an intrusion on the heritage, nature and architectural amenity of the area,” she said.

Parts of the East Sydney business community have started a petition and submitted representations against parking meters.

Stephan Gyory, owner of East Sydney business The Record Store, highlighted the character of East Sydney.

Mr Gyory said that should Council increase the number of meters, it should also further promote East Sydney.

“All the marketing about Sydney is about the harbour, there is no recognition of East Sydney, which is the bohemian quarter. [Council] will put no effort into promoting East Sydney but still raise parking revenue from the area,” he claimed.

Mr Gyory said he would prefer parking meters not to be introduced. However, if meters are introduced, he would like to see revenue returned directly to businesses and the community.

“Politicians love a slush fund, but the least they can do is properly redistribute funds to the community, which is currently not being done, as with rates,” he said.

A spokesperson for Council said proposals for more parking meters are only being considered in Darlinghurst and East Sydney. Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and Paddington are not being considered.

The spokesperson said the consultations were a response to community concerns about failures to comply with parking regulations.

“This consultation is in response to community concerns about people parking in the area for extended periods of time during the day and ignoring time limits in streets,” she said.