Car parking - solutions?

[#Metro]

Car parking Crisis!

Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk yesterday labelled the decision by Westfield as a "slap in the face" for local residents.

"I do not support Westfield's decision which is bad news for residents and users of the centre," he said.

Cr Quirk blamed the State Government, however, for not providing adequate park-n-ride facilities for the 5000 commuters that use the Chermside bus interchange every day - a factor he said influenced Westfield's decision.

He guaranteed he would not introduce parking meters in the area to help counter Westfield's decision.

Geez! So local residents are going to have more free parking outside their houses. Good one Graham! Like there is some god given right that the motorist must not pay for anything! Oh "and its the state government's fault" really now for not providing "adequate" parking at chermside bus interchange... rubbish... with thousands and thousands of people using the busway each hour and a carpark costing a good $50 000 each, you have got to be dreaming!

Charge them.

[#Metro]

It is believed to be the first major suburban shopping centre in Brisbane to charge for parking and it is not known whether other centres will follow suit.

Progress comes to Brisbane LOL.

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane radio, Breakfast with Kelly Higgins-Devine, followed up with a discussion and interviews on this issue.  Thanks for the interest 612!

[Jonno]

PS Chermide is designated a Town Centre or Regional CBD not a suburban shopping centre.  Our Lord Mayor does not have a urban design or planning bone in his body. 

Did you also here RACQ's ridiculous claim that only locals shop in the CBD now.  It just blatantly wrong. Was in CBD on Public holiday and it was buzzing.

[dwb]

Quirky is obviously trying to regain some favour after Campbell installed metred bays on streets across much of the inner city.

The move by Westfield is good.

Council's reaction is hopeless - Council should be regulating all the majors so they charge, not the opposite! Council should also be regulating parking in the vicinity of Chermside, just like it does in the City, this benefits residents the most but they tend to dislike it as much as those who want to park there.

Commuter car parks are NOT a solution - and any that exist should be charged.

Local feeder routes ARE part of the solution, as are better footpaths, road crossings, lighting, bikeways and bike lockers.

Residents do NOT own the streets. They are a public resource for the ENTIRE public. Go to any city around the world and residents and shoppers and the like fight over on street car parks.

Carparking in local streets is not the end of the world, people need to grow up and share!

[Golliwog]

I see this as a blatant money grab by Westfield. I agree it's their parking and they can do what they want but charging for staying over 3 hours is jsut going to lose them customers. I can see movie goers who decide to drive being especially ripped off if they decide to have a meal or a shop before or afterwards.

For the record, Toowong Village also has a 3 hour parking limit, but theirs is not enforced by a charge. They give you one strike where they leave a note on your windscreen saying they noticed your car was there for more than 3 hours which lets you know that they've taken down your number plate and if you do it again they will tow your car at your expense. The note also however says that if you were legitimately shopping for more than 3 hours to go visit center management and they'll take your number plate off the list. I know because I got one such note 2 years ago.

[BrizCommuter]

At least the 333 will be a bit quieter now. Gympie Rd will not be quieter though!

[somebody]

North of Chermside shops Gympie Rd might be quieter if a few more people use the 339, 341 and other rockets.

Just about every shopping centre in Sydney does it this way.

[dwb]

North of Chermside shops Gympie Rd might be quieter if a few more people use the 339, 341 and other rockets.

Just about every shopping centre in Sydney does it this way.

Sydney, god no, they're so different from us down there, we couldn't possibly do the same. I predict the sky will fall.

Let's all sing along:

Chicken Little walking
Along a country way,
When something bumped her on the head
That sunny day.
"Oh dear! I think the sky is falling down!
I think the sky is falling down!"
"Now," said Chicken Little,
"Now what shall I do?
The sky will fall,
Killing all,
I know that must be true!
So I must run and tell the King, King, King,
Yes, I must run and tell the King!"

Henny Penny walking
Along a country way,
Met Chicken Little,
And she said, "Hello! Good day!
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you, you, you?
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you?"
"Come," said Chicken Little,
"I've sad news to bring,
The sky will fall,
Killing all,
And I must tell the King!
So, Henny, you may walk with me, me, me,
So, Henny, you may walk with me."

Ducky Daddles walking
Along a country way,
Met up with Chick and Henny
And he said, "Good day!
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you, you, you?
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you?"
"Come," said Chicken Little,
"We've sad news to bring,
The sky will fall,
Killing all,
And we must tell the King!
So, Ducky, you may walk with me, me, me,
So, Ducky, you may walk with me."

Turkey Lurkey walking
Along a country way,
Met Chicken, Duck and Hen,
And said to them,
"Good day!
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you, you, you?
Dear Chicken, may I walk with you?"
"Come," said Chicken Little,
"We've sad news to bring,
The sky will fall,
Killing all,
And we must tell the King!
So, Turkey, you may walk with me, me, me,
So, Turkey, you may walk with me."

Foxy Loxy walking
Along a country way,
Met up with them,
And thought, "Mmmm, Hmmm!
I'll feast today!"
"Dear Fox," said Chicken Little,
"News we bring.
Please tell us where to find the King."
"Come," said Foxy Loxy,
"I'll show you the way."
He led them then
To his den,
Or so the stories say.
But here's what really happened
On that day:
They turned and ran the other way!

[Gazza]

I see this as a blatant money grab by Westfield. I agree it's their parking and they can do what they want but charging for staying over 3 hours is jsut going to lose them customers. I can see movie goers who decide to drive being especially ripped off if they decide to have a meal or a shop before or afterwards.

If they were smart they'd do what other shopping centres do and specifically give cinema goers a time extension if they get their parking token validated. There's always a solution, Golliwog.

It's funny, I thought the whole reason we got stuck busways to places like Chermside even though we could build rail/metro for the same price was because you could have single seat journeys from peoples local suburbs onto the main line, so why then doesn't BCC/State Government fix this up so these bus routes to Chermside  do exist, rather than relying on a private shopping center to provide de facto park and ride for them.

What is also funny, BCC puts parking meters on streets to keep car parks turning over because some areas had issues with workers just parking there all day, yet a shopping center operator, encountering the exact same problems, and therefore applying a similar solution, is a bad guy for doing this?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Chermside Shopping Centre set to charge for parking

Chermside Shopping Centre set to charge for parking
Marissa Calligeros
June 23, 2011 - 10:08AM

Brisbane City Council says it is investigating its legal options in the face of a plan from Westfield to introduce paid parking at Chermside Shopping Centre later this year.

A spokeswoman for the retail conglomerate said "controlled parking" would be introduced from October for anyone using the centre's 6000 car spaces for more than three hours.

The move would stop commuters who use the bus interchange taking customers' car spaces, she said.

The spokeswoman could not explain how the company was introducing paid parking without the approval of Brisbane City Council, after the administration rejected another Westfield application in 2009.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk this morning criticised the move, saying it was unfair for shoppers that the state government had not provided adequate park and ride facilities for commuters using the Chermside bus interchange.

"I do not support Westfield's decision, which is bad news for residents and users of the centre," he said.

"It is the state government that has failed in its duty over many years to provide park and ride facilities at Chermside. That is the main cause of this problem."

In 2008 Westfield sought council approval to install boom gates and charge anyone using its carparks for more than three hours, but the council rejected the proposal 12 months later.

A council spokesman confirmed it had not received any similar applications from Westfield since then.

He said the council was seeking legal advice to determine whether Westfield needed to make a new development application.

Talbot Sanderson, Westfield regional general manager, said the company was satisfied that it had the adequate approvals to introduce paid parking.

''We're satisfied that we have the development approvals for the car park changes that are being made,'' he told ABC radio.

He said the move was designed to reduce car park congestion and alleviate shopper's frustration.

''We're now finding that there are more people coming to Westfield Chermside, but that can be a downside at times,'' he said.

''The more people who come the more congestion that you have on site and we need to be able to manage that.

''I think you'll find that once it's introduced those shoppers will be delighted that they can get a park easily and conveniently,'' he said.

Mr Sanderson said 93 per cent of customers did not shop at the centre for longer than three hours.

''It's important that we understand that 93 per cent of our customers won't be paying for these charges,'' he said.

''And any charges after that will be closely monitored to make sure that we're not impacting on customers who do want to come into the centre.''

He also said there would be designated free parking areas for centre staff and concessions for cinema-goers with parking validation tickets.

Commuter lobby group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said in the absence of adequate park and ride facilities, "sustainable parking solutions" were needed.

Mr Dow has called for the introduction of local "station" buses to provide commuters with transport from suburban areas to key bus and train stations.

"These station buses would be separate from the normal bus services," he said.

"These buses could be painted a bright ... orange and become part of the local neighbourhood facilities and culture. Routes could be chosen such that residents only have short walks to stops to catch the station bus.

"The [free] Brisbane City Loop buses are a good model for the station bus concept."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/chermside-shopping-centre-set-to-charge-for-parking-20110623-1gg5q.html#ixzz1Q3OdmIcR

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast Blog click here!

Paying to park at shopping centres

Paying to park at shopping centres

23 June 2011 , 9:15 AM by Anne O'Keeffe

From October, Westfield Chermside will introduce paid parking - you'll get the first three hours free, and from then on, it'll cost you to shop.

We're keen to hear what you think of this - will it make finding a park easier, does it unfairly disadvantage public transport users?

In a moment to Robert Dow of public transport group Rail Back On Track.

But first - Angus Nardi - deputy executive director of the Shopping Centres Council of Australia:

[ozbob]

Yikes ... 

===============

Twitter

theoverheadwire

Parking Space for the CRC in Portland, $55K each: http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2011/06/crc_parking_spa.html

5 minutes ago

===============

Common Urban Myths About Transport

Myth: Park-and-Ride facilities will encourage public transport use

Fact: Expecting people to drive to railway stations puts an artificial limit on the number of passengers the train system can support. Car parks are expensive to build and maintain, are space-intensive, lock up valuable real estate near stations, and require public transport users to own just as many cars as if public transport didn't exist. In well-patronised rail systems around the world, most train passengers arrive at the station by feeder bus or tram, not by car; it would simply be impossible to provide enough car parking to get all these passengers there by car instead.

More see http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/parkride.shtml

[#Metro]

Obviously haven't been to Perth where 50% of the patronage on the Mandurah line is brought in by car...

I'm not interested in wars on the car, I'm interested in mobility. Park and ride has its place but must be used with discretion.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Thumbs down for Westfield paid parking plan

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/06/park-n-ride-minus-park.html
Not a good move for many Northern Brisbane commuters.

[ozbob]

BCC do have some PPT initiatives ..

--> Personalised public transport

A number of retirement villages and some shopping centres have coaster like bus services as well.

The problem with park n' ride is that it just is a never ending cycle.  The more you build, the quicker it fills, the worse the overflow and difficulty to park late becomes.  The answer will be a combination of strategies, park n' ride is an essential part of the solution but much better feeder / station buses where appropriate would help as well.  

With the excellent adequate train service frequency Darra to Northgate it would be a good time to try some further initiatives, Oxley would be a good trial location for station buses.

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg4657#msg4657

This a map of the Corinda - Oxley  - Darra area.

Some hypothetical 'Station Bus Routes' marked.  Similar exercises good be done for other areas.
Just ideas.  This links up Darra Oxley and Corinda railway stations through the suburbs. These runs wouldn't take much longer than 10 minutes I estimate.




Some of the main roads have regular bus services already.

[somebody]

With the excellent train service frequency Darra to Northgate it would be a good time to try some further initiatives, Oxley would be a good trial location for station buses.

You call it excellent, I call it adequate.

[ozbob]

LOL  I have been in Brisbane too long ...

[ozbob]

ABC 612 Brisbane are having another session on the car parking issue at Chermside.  

Third one today, the Breakfast show, then the morning program and now drive.  


Update:  Minister for Transport is now on air ...

[colinw]

LOL  I have been in Brisbane too long ...

Well, compared to the train service on my line I'd call it excellent :-)

And I'm sure the people of Algester, Parkinson, Browns Plains, Hillcrest, etc. would call ANY train service at all excellent if they could get one before 2031.  Ditto anyone north of Caboolture, or on the Sunshine Coast proper (CAMCOS corridor).

Anyhow, straying back on topic, seems a bit sad to me that the private car and unimpeded right to parking has become such a sacred cow in our society that even in public transport forums you get howled down for questioning whether Park & Ride is efficient or should be on a user pays basis.

[ozbob]

Goodna is not real flash out of peak either ...

Anyway back on the parking: Minister stated that Chermside is a regional activity centre and stated that park n' rides are not considered for such locations.

She stated that it is a bus interchange and that park n' ride is for stations (bus and rail).

[ozbob]

Some of the feedback on this issue is along the lines that parking at a place like Chermside or Garden City is better because of the frequency.  If they don't drive to a bus interchange location the wait for a bus, and the hours of operation of a lot of services become undesirable.  Also the fact that park n' rides are full early and there are then problems with the street parking. All fairly basic issues and is not going to get better by rolling out a few hundred more park n' ride spaces here and there, is it?

[Gazza]

Obviously haven't been to Perth where 50% of the patronage on the Mandurah line is brought in by car...

True, but they've got the land.
I imagine in future years the percentage will drop, since total pax numbers will grow, but the number of parking spaces probably won't keep pace anyway.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24 June 2011

It's not us, it's them ...  Re: Car parking, there are solutions ...

Greetings,

The calls by BCC and the State Government for Westfield not to introduce paid parking at Chermside completely miss the point.  How about fixing up our public transport system?

The BCC can roll out parking metres everywhere, but grandstands when a business reacts to a failing transport paradigm,  all a bit hypocritical in my opinion.

The reality is many shopping centres do have parking fees for excessive use of the space already.  A long term sustainable solution is needed as we have outlined.

Enjoy your commute!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

On 23/06/2011 2:51 AM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:

Greetings,

Reported in the Courier Mail this morning are moves to charge for car parking at Chermside ( http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/westfield-chermside-to-introduce-paid-parking-after-three-hour-limit-for-free-parking/story-e6freoof-1226080211564 ) in an attempt to displace the commuters who are occupying the car parks.  In the absence of any meaningful solutions to the car parking crisis this will just displace more cars onto the streets, further making life for residents hell.

Policy with respect to parking generally is seriously flawed of course.  The fixation on expensive park n' ride solutions virtually to the exclusion of sustainable solutions is now compounding the crisis.  Residents and businesses are constantly being parked out, streets are congested, people cannot conveniently access places of trade and so forth.  The roads generally are becoming a quagmire of congestion, rage and despair.

For a number of years we have been suggesting solutions (see below).

As the problem worsens by the day, the failure to change the paradigm is a further testament to the failed transport policies in south-east Queensland generally.

Enjoy the parking rage ...

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

===========================

Media Release 26 March 2009 re-released 23 June 2011

SEQ:  Car parking crisis at and around stations worsens, community rage - solution?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has again called for urgent action to address the car parking crisis at and around railway and bus stations.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The car parking problem is a major issue throughout most Brisbane suburbs."

"The solutions to this crisis touted during the recent election by the ALP and the LNP are doomed to failure. Some increase in parking space is needed, but it is not working now nor will it the future unless sustainable solutions are put in place urgently.

"RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted the problems but we have also suggested solutions." (1,2,3)

"Immediate relief for residents and businesses is required; however yellow lines and restricted parking in the streets near stations will only push the parking overload further out from the stations unless  long term sustainable solutions are put in place."

"Part of the solution is to introduce local 'station' buses that provide convenient public transport from suburban residences to key stations.  These station buses would be separate from the normal bus services, although some integration and variation of the normal routes would be possible if station buses were introduced. The Brisbane City Loop buses are a good model for the station bus concept."

"On Monday to Friday 5am to 10am, and 3pm to 8pm daily we call for local neighbourhood buses to be introduced to provide transport for commuters to and from their residences to stations.  These buses could be painted a bright TransLink orange and become part of the local neighbourhood facilities and culture (3).  Routes could be chosen such that residents only have short walks to stops to catch the station bus."

"By having these dedicated station buses the pressure would be off the present parking facilities, and those commuters who need to travel outside the peak times would be able to park without the present problems."

"An extensive community education campaign would also be needed including promotion of active transport, and consideration of the introduction of parking fees at car parks at stations at peak times. These fees could offset the cost of the buses.  The station buses would be part of the normal TransLink ticketing.  This would encourage people to catch the station bus or use active transport rather than drive and overload the streets."

"Improve bicycle storage facilities at stations."

"It is time we moved forward with solutions, other than just knocking down houses and building more and more car parks, which in turn just acts as further encouragement for masses to drive."




Mythical Station Bus

References:

1.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 21 June 2008
SEQ:  Car parking, congestion, chaos and calamity.
A solution! http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1056.0

2.  RAIL Back On Track Media Release 24 August 2008
SEQ: Car parking crisis at and around stations - solution?
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1262.0

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.msg4651#msg4651

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org


===========================

Media release 12 May 2011 re-released 23 June 2011

SEQ:  Car parking chaos compounded by Brisbane City Council

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers suggests Brisbane City Council needs to urgently review the flawed car parking policy as evidenced by the recent amendments to the Transport, Access, Parking and Servicing Planning Scheme Policy. Car parking is a major issue not only in Brisbane itself but in most areas of south-east Queensland.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The amendments go against the direction that the council has been striving for over the last few years: a sustainable city for the people of Brisbane."

"The flawed amendments will only serve to increase the traffic congestion in the inner city precinct, making cycling, public transport and general pedestrian transport improvements more difficult."

"Those in the inner city area have some of the best public transport in Brisbane. They should not need so many cars, especially in an office building. We should be encouraging people to ride, walk or take public transport, not making it easier for them to clog our streets and degrade our quality of life by sitting on their own in an enclosed cell, complaining about traffic."

"The Federal Government has put in place an initiative 'OUR CITIES, OUR FUTURE - A NATIONAL URBAN POLICY FOR A PRODUCTIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE FUTURE (1)'.  This should be compulsory reading for all of Brisbane City Council."

"Car parking is a major issue not only in Brisbane itself but in most areas of south-east Queensland.  There are solutions (2), simply encouraging more of the same and expecting improvements is as Einstein would have put it, insanity!"

"Wrong decisions now will take city planners many years and many millions of dollars to rectify in the future. Please make Brisbane a sustainable city. Make it a city for people, not cars."

References:

1. http://www.finance.gov.au/publications/commonwealth-budget/2011-12/2011-12/content/download/ms_urban.pdf

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

No rush to follow Chermside's lead

No rush to follow Chermside's lead
Tony Moore
June 24, 2011 - 3:00AM

Other major Brisbane shopping centres have ruled out paid parking, at least in the short term, after Chermside Westfield's controversial decision to slug some motorists with a parking fee.

A Westfield spokeswoman said they had no plans to introduce parking at the company's other Brisbane shopping centres, such as Carindale, "at this stage".

"There are no confirmed plans to introduce paid parking at other Westfield centres in Brisbane," she said.

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre have also ruled it out in the short term, however management has confirmed the issue was regularly discussed.

The Indooroopilly complex was run by Westfield for 35 years, but is now managed by Eureka Funds Management.

The centre is in a similar situation to many of Brisbane's large shopping centres, where commuters park at the shopping centre and use the popular busway.

Indooroopilly is also close to the train station, which does not have a park and ride centre, but Eureka said it had "no plans" in the short-term to introduce paid parking at the popular shopping complex.

"Indooroopilly Shopping Centre has considered managed car parking for some years to resolve commuter and staff parking issues, but has no plans to introduce it in the short term," they said in a statement.

Centre management said they separated key parking spaces to restrict the space that could be used by people hopping on buses and trains.

"Indooroopilly Shopping Centre relies on a dual system to control commuter car parking which includes chaining off key car park space until just prior to centre opening times and maintaining constant security presence and surveillance," management said in a statement.

The Retail First shopping centre group, which owns Toowong Village, Brookside Shopping Centre, Capalaba Park, Redbank Plaza and Australia Fair Southport, said it was not planning to introduce parking fees.

"At this stage we're not looking at it," group marketing manager Rebecca Gascoigne said.

"[However] I can understand why Westfield have done it because commuters are an issue in all shopping centres."

The Yu Feng Group of shopping centres around Brisbane, including Mt Gravatt's Sunnybank Plaza, now owns Southport's Australia Fair Shopping Centre, which has has had paid parking for more than 20 years.

At Australia Fair, the first four hours parking is free, and the parking fees increase from $3.30 for the first hour after that, to $4.60 for the fifth and sixth hours.

Someone parking all day would pay $22.

A spokeswoman said the shopping centre had "always" charged parking fees because it was considered to be inside the Gold Coast CBD area.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/no-rush-to-follow-chermsides-lead-20110623-1gh53.html

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Westfield Chermside shopping centre goes it alone on need for paid parking

Westfield Chermside shopping centre goes it alone on need for paid parking

    Sarah Vogler and Yolande Schefe
    From: The Courier-Mail
    June 24, 2011 12:00AM

MAJOR retailers have no plans to follow Westfield's lead and introduce paid parking in suburban shopping centres - in the near future, at least.

The Courier-Mail  revealed Westfield's plans to introduce paid parking at its popular Chermside centre from October, two years after initial plans were scuttled.

Customers will be given a three-hour free parking window before charges kick in.

Those charges are yet to be revealed.

A Centro Properties Group spokeswoman said the group, which owns more than 20 centres across the state, was not anticipating introducing paid parking at its suburban properties.

The Courier-Mail understands AMP Capital, which owns Pacific Fair, is also not planning to introduce paid parking in the near future.

Westfield Chermside centre manager Trevor Hill yesterday confirmed the centre would push ahead with its plan to impose paid parking despite Brisbane City Council pleas for it to change its mind.

"We know from our feedback consumers are frustrated by finding spots and this is the right thing to do," Mr Hill said.

The centre estimates commuters take up about 2000 spaces.

A spokesman for Westfield said the centre had an application to modify its car park approved by council but that application did not specify its intention to introduce paid parking

Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk repeated calls for the retailer to change its mind. He said the State Government should shoulder most of the blame for not providing commuters with adequate parking.

"The State Government should have stumped up. They should have provided car parks in conjunction with the bus station arrangements that exist at this shopping centre," Cr Quirk said.

Queensland Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk, however, hit back claiming council had the power to stop the paid parking plans.

"Council didn't support this proposal previously in 2009, and any application lodged could be knocked back, if Brisbane City Council chose," she said.

Westfield Chermside's decision to charge customers was met with instant public outcry yesterday with thousands voting against the move in an online poll.

Griffin resident Sarah McKenzie said it took more than three hours to do shopping and enjoy lunch with son Charlie, 3.

"From my experience at various times of the year, I've never had a real issue with parking except Christmas time."

Retailer Troy Fulcher, who owns a shoe store in the centre, said he was worried the plans would keep customers away.

"It won't help," he said. "Retail's quiet as it is at the moment and this will just be another reason to stop people coming."

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Weekend shoppers to be slugged for parking

Weekend shoppers to be slugged for parking
Dan Nancarrow
June 24, 2011 - 2:38PM

Weekend shoppers will be slugged with parking fees at Westfield Chermside, despite earlier claims the move was a way to stop commuters using the shopping centre as a public transport park-and-ride.

The retail group's decision to charge on weekends comes on the back of a warning from the National Retailers Association that more shopping centres around the state will introduce paid parking as the state continues to grow.

Despite the backlash against Westfield's decision to introduce fees for shoppers who stay longer than three hours, company spokeswoman Julia Clarke said the proposed system would be operating every day of the week.

Ms Clarke said the company would charge customers on weekends because company research had found those parking for longer than three hours were much more likely not to be using the centre for shopping.

"Certainly commuters are part of the issue with the parking but because we know that 93 per cent of shoppers get their trips done in under three hours there are still people weekdays and weekends who are there for longer for three hours for whatever reason," she said.

"So we know that there are going to be some people who will shopping for longer than three hours but those fees will be quite nominal, only a few dollars."

In another concern for shoppers, NRA executive director Gary Black said he expected more shopping centres in Queensland to enforce paid parking as the state's population continues to grow.

"Progressively, with population growth the stress on the parking facilities is increasing and spaces are less freely available so centres I think have had to respond to this and I think it is totally legitimate to focus their actions on people who are using these parking facilities who have no intention of shopping," he said.

"Ultimately this is a supply and demand issue and where there are restraints on expanding car park facilities it's inevitable that shopping centres will take measures to ensure that people are parking in their centres with the intention of shopping there."

Mr Black said shopping centres would not implement measures that would deter shoppers from using their facilities and affect their profitability.

Ms Clarke said there were no confirmed plans to extend paid parking to other Westfield centres around Brisbane.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/weekend-shoppers-to-be-slugged-for-parking-20110624-1givj.html#ixzz1QAY1jSFx

[Gazza]

http://city-north-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/parking-meter-cash-grab/
From 2009

Deputy Mayor Graham Quirk said council parking inspectors were little deterrent to workers who continued to leave their cars in two-hour parking zones all day or moved cars every two hours to avoid fines.
``A number of these streets are at capacity and people are turned off visiting residents and businesses because they just can't get a park,'' he said.
``It's now time to up the ante if we want to keep kerbside spaces turning over and stop these streets being used as all-day car parks.''

Of course, when council does it, its fine.

But when a company who has invested a lot of their own money to provide parking, and wants to protect this asset (Eg so people can actually do their grocery shopping etc) they are a villain?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

25 June 2011

Car parking crisis

Greetings,

Amusing if not sad the hysterical reaction to Chermside Shopping Centre moves to charge for parking.  The reaction by the BCC, the State Government, the Opposition, and many citizens just confirms the basket case that is parking policy, and public transport policy generally.

Park n' ride is only at best a part solution.  The more expensive park n' rides are built, the quicker they fill with the consequent overflow issues for all and the worse it all becomes.

This media release was first released three years ago.  Has anything really improved?   No it is hasn't ... despite millions of dollars spent on park n' rides ...

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

===================================================

Media Release 21 June 2008 re-released 25 June 2011

SEQ:  Car parking, congestion, chaos and calamity.  A solution!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for dedicated buses to be introduced in the suburbs as feeder services to transport commuters from places near their homes;  to and from key bus and rail stations.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track has highlighted the ongoing parking problems at railway stations for some time (1).

"As more people are forced onto public transport to save fuel costs, parking pressures around stations (rail and bus) will only increase.  Rather than driving all the way commuters will park and ride."

"It is not possible or sensible to keep building more and more car parks. Eventually we will just have stations surrounded by hectares of car parks."

"Car parking is causing much disruption for local residents near stations. It is causing problems with local businesses as car parks are often taken up by commuters."

"The overload parking on streets is restricting the access of motorists and causing chaos as people attempt to drive around their suburbs."

"Rail and bus stations need bus interchange facilities. For example with the upgrade of Indooroopilly station it would have been logical to have incorporated a bus/rail interchange as part of the upgrade.  A lost opportunity."

"Monday to Friday, from 6am to 10am, and 3pm to 7pm daily we call for local neighbourhood buses to be introduced to provide transport for commuters to and from their residences to stations.  These buses could be painted a bright TransLink orange and become part of the local neighbourhood facilities and culture.  Routes could be chosen such that residents only have short walks to stops to catch the Station bus."

"By having these dedicated Station buses the pressure would be off the present parking facilities, and those commuters who need to travel outside the peak times would be able to park without the present problems."

"The parking issue is raised constantly in the media, and feedback is constantly received by us as to the problems.  Nothing substantial is ever done except more of the same; the knee-jerk response of knocking down houses and building more car parks is silly. This is a non solution for the long term. Station buses are solution that is sustainable and sensible."

"Let's do it!"

Reference:

1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[#Metro]

Metered parking would only apply from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, in most streets, with residents with permits able to park free.
Cr Quirk said the new meters, whose revenues would pay for new footpaths across the city, would feature a ticket-less ``pay by plate'' function.

Shock Horror! People actually paying for things they use!

I always wonder why people can't just park in their own driveway...

[BrizCommuter]

Metered parking would only apply from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, in most streets, with residents with permits able to park free.
Cr Quirk said the new meters, whose revenues would pay for new footpaths across the city, would feature a ticket-less ``pay by plate'' function.

Shock Horror! People actually paying for things they use!

I always wonder why people can't just park in their own driveway...

...because some home-owners do not have a driveway!

[p858snake]

Metered parking would only apply from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, in most streets, with residents with permits able to park free.
Cr Quirk said the new meters, whose revenues would pay for new footpaths across the city, would feature a ticket-less ``pay by plate'' function.

Shock Horror! People actually paying for things they use!

I always wonder why people can't just park in their own driveway...

Most driveways (closer to the city regions) are only designed to hold oneish car but most places have more than one car (eg: couples that work).

[Jonno]

Ah the perfect catch 22.  Public transport is so bad that every household HAS to have at least one car and most have 2, so we need to have parking spaces for all these cars, so not many people catch public transport, so government don't see the need to increase public transport!

[#Metro]

...because some home-owners do not have a driveway!

I wonder who is responsible for planning regulations etc for that ... oh that would be BCC wouldn't it... damn!!! 

[ozbob]

Our boyhood house in Melbourne, Albert St Windsor had no provision for cars. No driveways, no garages etc.  Most of the houses were like that as they built in the pre-car era.  A few cars parked out in the street.  Some of the houses in older parts of Brisbane are similar.  Although anything post 1960 or so the plot is design the garage and then add a house .. lol

We never suffered in Melbourne, but we had trams, trains laid on, and still the same in actuality.   The modern gentry have cloned in the inner city areas these days.  Some have cars, some have modified the houses to accomodate the 'holy chariot' ... many though have abandoned cars, history repeating.

In most of Brisbane a car is often needed, our public transport is positively backward in many respects.

[dwb]

...because some home-owners do not have a driveway!

I wonder who is responsible for planning regulations etc for that ... oh that would be BCC wouldn't it... damn!!! 

Making all homes and apartments have multiple car spaces is not the solution, actually it adds to the problem. And yes, if you build a house anywhere in Brisbane it pretty much requires 2 car spaces on property now.

[dwb]

Our boyhood house in Melbourne, Albert St Windsor had no provision for cars. No driveways, no garages etc.  Most of the houses were like that as they built in the pre-car era.  A few cars parked out in the street.  Some of the houses in older parts of Brisbane are similar.  Although anything post 1960 or so the plot is design the garage and then add a house .. lol

We never suffered in Melbourne, but we had trams, trains laid on, and still the same in actuality.   The modern gentry have cloned in the inner city areas these days.  Some have cars, some have modified the houses to accomodate the 'holy chariot' ... many though have abandoned cars, history repeating.

In most of Brisbane a car is often needed, our public transport is positively backward in many respects.

The old apartment I lived in at Highgate Hill had 8 apts and no on site carparking. It was cheap and chearful housing for people who needed it close to the city. Most residents didn't have cars, but those who did parked on the street. We lived in a parking controlled street but it was rarely checked by council. There was a bit of a shuffle in spaces, sometimes you had to park down the street but overall this wasn't an issue!!

[dwb]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/06/park-n-ride-minus-park.html
Not a good move for many Northern Brisbane commuters.

I'm sadly sadly disappointed in your thoughts BrizCommuter - this is one of your least transit friendly articles yet.

[somebody]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/06/park-n-ride-minus-park.html
Not a good move for many Northern Brisbane commuters.

I'm sadly sadly disappointed in your thoughts BrizCommuter - this is one of your least transit friendly articles yet.

100% agree.

A number of people do actually use the 330/333/340 from Chermside to the city on weekends, and a number of these people could be parking in Westfield.