$650,000 revenue could be lost for free parking

Half an hour free parking in parts of the Leichhardt municipality could cost Council $650,000 in lost revenue each year, based on figures from the first week of a three-month trial.

After beginning on September 3, the parking trial is in the process of evaluation. An independent parking review is to establish what can be done to fix Leichhardt’s ongoing parking problems and revitalise flagging local businesses.

Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne has been a long time advocate of 30 minutes free parking in Leichhardt, and said the early statistics are unreliable.

“The figure referenced has been extrapolated for the first seven days of the trial,” he said.

“Obviously no meaningful data or evidence can be derived from the first week of a three-month trial.

“At its completion, the trial will provide some idea of the costs of delivering 30 minute free parking.”

Leichhardt Council relies heavily on the $1.8 million profit parking metres and parking tickets yield. At this stage, Council has made no plans regarding the ensuing budget shortfall should 30 minute free parking zones be permanently instated.

Mr Byrne said regardless of the loss in Council revenue, residents will still be better off.

“There will be some reduced revenue from providing free parking for locals and savings will have to be made to pay for it,” he said. “In the medium term, the benefits of strengthening our local economy will far outweigh the costs.

“Most residents and businesses have become very cynical about Council’s parking system. Many people feel it is entirely about revenue raising and I want to see locals get a fairer deal.

“Bleeding residents and businesses dry and allowing our main streets to whither [away] is no way to run a government. Residents must be given an incentive to shop locally.”

146 parking spaces are involved in the trial. They are located along various segments of Norton St in Leichhardt and pockets of Darling St in Balmain. Council has included a number of further streets in the municipality as part of the trial. It also includes the conversion of all 15 minute free to 30 minute free parking in the side streets of Norton St.

Results of the three-month trial will be included in the parking strategy report to be brought back to the November Council meeting. Council has allocated $300,000 towards parking management improvements.

Further information about the free parking trial can be found at www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au