Surry’s free parking stays put

Sydney City Council has bowed to community pressure, vowing not to install with parking meters along Albion Street in Surry Hills.
In a letter to residents, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the decision to keep free parking was made in response to community feedback, despite many vehicles bucking existing parking restrictions.
Meter parking was considered in Albion Street, between Crown and Bourke streets, as a way to increase parking turnover. But concerns about local businesses, and visitors’ parking for elderly residents, overshadowed the proposal.
“This is a great result, thanks to all for participating, and making this known to the wider community & residents by letters, faxes and phone calls,” said a spokesperson for the Nichols Street Community Group.
But inner city parking is still an issue, with residents now concerned about proposed increases in parking rates across the city for 2009 and 2010.
“City Council is escalating car parking & week day meter rates to seek more money. City Council sees parking as a cash cow,” said Brian Noad, member of the Nichols Street Community Group.
Parking increases are part of Council’s Budget and Corporate Plan, which will be finally adopted on June 29, after a period of public exhibition.
To encourage more people to cycle, walk and use public transport, weekday parking meters in the CBD are proposed to increase by 9 per cent, from $5.50 to $6 per hour. Rates in the Goulburn street car park will increase by 14 per cent.