Car parking - solutions?

[Jonno]

The association has lobbied Fair Work Australia to amend the General Retail Industry Award 2010, to ensure workers are reimbursed by their employer if forced to pay to park at work.

That's stupid though....So what about the thousands working in retail in the Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane CBD etc? In effect it means you'd have to have enough free spaces in the CBDs for all of them. Massive cost!

If supported by Fair Work Australia (which I severly doubt - WISD) this would mean fee parking in our CBD for retail employees.  Thus would kill off CBD's for sure and make congestion so someone much worse!   

Time for shopping Centres to evoke multi-landlord, mixed-use Town Centres!

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Shop workers protest paid parking at Westfield Carindale

Shop workers protest paid parking at Westfield Carindale

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    March 29, 2012 1:20PM

SHOP assistants have taken to the footpaths of Westfield Carindale to protest plans to introduce paid parking at the massive retail complex.

The retail giant was expected to impose parking charges from today but has delayed the rollout until mid-year because of a hold-up with construction.

Chris Ketter from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association said under the paid parking scheme, Westfield would pocket about $6000 a day from staff - many of whom earn less than $650 a week.

"Why exactly are Queenslanders paying for the privilege of going to work?" asked Mr Ketter.

"To add insult to injury Westfield has refused to provide staff with basic information on exactly when paid parking will begin."

He said the ongoing rollout of paid parking had forced the union to lodge paperwork with Fair Work Australia to make retailers absorb the cost of parking for employees nationwide.

"If successful these changes could see retailers forced to absorb the cost of parking at all Australian centres that insist on charging staff," Mr Ketter said.

"Given Westfield's refusal to reverse paid parking and the likelihood it will continue to introduce the initiative throughout southeast Queensland and Australia we have no choice but to involve retailers."

Westfield Carindale worker Pierina, who did not want her surname published, said staff were not well paid but "kept the centre going".

"We work here, we shop here and we keep the centre going," she said.

"We're here to earn a living and to be hit with parking fees, it's pretty unfair."

Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith has promised to do whatever he can to stop the rollout of paid parking at Westfield Carindale, but admitted he was not confident it could be halted.

"If I'm elected, I will introduce a Temporary Local Planning Instrument. Whether we can roll back what's already occurred across the city, I'll have a look at. I'll be exploring every avenue to see what we can do," said Mr Smith.

"I've got my doubts that we'll be able to do that, to roll it back but I'll certainly be doing my level best to stop it spreading any further across the city."

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has previously warned any ban on paid parking could result in multi-million dollar compensation claims and potentially encourage shopping centres to rush to introduce paid parking bays to beat any new laws.

Paid parking has been in operation at Westfield Chermside since last October.

Shoppers are required to pay after three hours of free-parking while workers pay $3 a day for parking in designated bays.

[SurfRail]

So is he going to roll back paid parking in the CBD?

[somebody]

So is he going to roll back paid parking in the CBD?

When pigs fly?

Can Do (car lover) loved cars a little, Quirky loves cars much!

[#Metro]

Is he going to roll back his own parking meters - answer that question Quirky...

[Jonno]

I will do a draft Press Release tonight

[ozbob]

Media release 30 March 2012

SEQ: Too much parking (free or paid) is causing congestion

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 says the over supply of car parking, whether free or paid, is making our traffic problems worse.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The over supply of car parking combined with over-crowded or infrequent public transport, and unsafe pedestrian/cycle access is forcing almost 90% of all trips to be by motor vehicle.  Many of which could easily be made using public or active transport."

"The availability of easily accessible car parking is one of the most most important factors in a drivers decision to drive. Our roads are full each and every day because drivers know that a parking space will be available at the other end. Even a paid one."

"All levels of government have spent 50 years trying to out build congestion with roads and build or require more car parking.  Yet these are the two factors that actually induce people to drive more (1)."

"Traffic congestion, car parking and public transport will be hot topics in the Queensland local government elections, particularly in Brisbane. All candidates are asked to refrain from the false claims that building more roads and increasing car parking availability will reduce congestion.  The reality is they create congestion not reduce it!"

"Frequent around the clock public transport services with appropriate support for active transport, cycling and walking, is the way forward."

Reference:

1. http://economicsintelligence.com/2011/10/24/why-new-roads-do-not-alleviate-congestion/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 30 March 2012 page 5

Commuters cop it

[ozbob]

30 March 2012

Letter to the editor: Re Commuters cop it

Dear Editor,

With reference to ' Commuters cop it, QT 30 Mar 2012.'  Over the past weeks I have been monitoring car parking at Richlands, Darra, Wacol, Gailes and Goodna railway stations.

All stations are parked out early with the exception of the verge parking at Gailes.  Many drivers are being forced to park illegally. The other day there was approximately 400 cars parked at Gailes.  Gailes is sometimes regarded as an unimportant station but at the moment it is acting as a significant car parking overflow for the other stations.  I suggest if late arrivals at Goodna cannot find a legal car park drive to Gailes and park on the verge.  At least you won't get fined.

Cr Tully is correct when he says TransLink have let the people of Goodna down.  We are still fighting to have a modified 523 bus returned to service for the good people of Goodna. The 523 bus was removed when the FlexiLink debacle was rolled out for Ipswich.

The frequency and hours of operation of buses to feed the railway stations needs radical improvements.  By doing that more people can then use public transport rather than being forced to drive and run the car parking fine gauntlet.

Some expansion of park n' ride is needed but importantly decent feeder bus services will mean that parking will not be so problematical.

Yours sincerely,

Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[#Metro]

I keep saying this - Parking needs to be charged for.

Some people parking in those car parks actually do have an alternative - a bicycle, walking or a bus. But there is NO incentive for them to use it. You need a charge to motivate them.

This also generates money which can be used to put feeder buses on and fix up bicycle access.

It's basic economics 101. When demand exceeds supply, you need a price to ration the spaces. If you don't use prices then you have to ration the spaces by queues and a fines system (which is just charging some people, not everyone and is actually more unfair because the people fined huge amounts cross-subsidise effectively the free parkers). Now, no doubt the people who can pay but don't want to will use the inequity argument to shield themselves from the cost. The solution- 50% discount or or 80% discount for those on concession go cards.

There could be regular passes for those who don't want to keep buying tickets all the time.

In fact there could be a go park smartcard. A plastic sleeve could be attached to the windscreen below the registration sticker
which would hold a go park card. A inspector would wave a reader from outside the vehicle over the card in the sleeve attached to
the screen which will allow the card to be read. Top the card up at the normal go card machine...

[somebody]

I keep saying this - Parking needs to be charged for.

Definitely.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Park and pay: Australia's most costly airports

[ozbob]

Media release 31 March 2012

SEQ: Quit insanity on park and ride woes!

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 says the continued expansion of park and ride will make our traffic problems worse.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Governments of all levels are on a major reality avoidance mission - basic geometry suggests that when you have a limited space, whether that be a city or a station car park, if everyone tries to bring their cars into it, it is going to fill up quickly and then the space will run out. Basic economics - the law of demand and supply - suggest that if you give away something in demand for free, there will be excess demand for it and queues will form and it will be exhausted rapidly unless a charge is levied (1, 2, 3)."

"That's why we keep expanding park and ride, at a cost of around $30 000 to $40 000 per car space, billed straight to the taxpayer, the spaces keep filling up, cars enticed by the freebies spill over into suburban streets and the cycle starts all over again. That's a lot of money to spend that could be spent on decent public transport services rather than car storage space. You would have to spend approximately $40 million to fill up ONE 1000-person capacity Queensland Rail train using park and ride. Efficient? Good expenditure of cash? We didn't think so either!"

"A definition of insanity is 'doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.' This is the present car-parking paradigm, insanity."

"Let's face it. There is never going to be a solution until governments accept that park and ride is the highest cost, lowest capacity solution and that frequent, Toronto-style feeder buses are put on, connecting all-day train frequencies are boosted, and parking charges are levied. Perth, Western Australia has no issue charging $2 for car parks at high demand locations - you can even pay with their version of our GoCard (4). In Toronto, Canada, 98% of buses interchange with the subway system, using the buses to fill up the train system. Buses are brought right underneath or next to the station on dedicated bus ramps (5)."

"We understand that governments are reluctant to be seen to be introducing parking charges because it may offend some or look bad. Problem is, with the car park chaos and cars blocking residential streets and households and people being fined, they're looking bad anyway. Concession holders can be given a reduced rate (50% or 80% discount) to meet social welfare and equity objectives."

The solution is very simple:

1. Accept that park and ride is the highest cost, lowest capacity solution.

2. Put more feeder buses on and connecting train frequency all day.

3. Bite the bullet and charge for parking.

"Parking charges will raise money which can then be spent on improving cycling, walking and bus access to stations."

"It is time to quit the insanity on park and ride!"

References:

Supply and demand

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_price_system
3. http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp#axzz1qY1mJjSc

TransPerth car parking

4. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTransperth/CarParking.aspx

TTC bus connection

5.

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st April 2012

Re: SEQ: Quit insanity on park and ride woes!

Greetings,

The car parking issue in south-east Queensland is out of control.  The simplistic solution is to build more park n' rides?  No it is not.  What needs to occur is to put in place better feeder bus options in conjunction with a measured park n' ride approach.  Brisbane City Council is touting a new bus route the so called ' Maroon City Glider '  whilst in the middle and outer suburbia citizens are being excluded from using public transport because they cannot park at the stations, and there is no bus they can use to get to and from the stations.  Where there are services the hours of operation are such that they services are useless for most commuters.  For example, Strathpine a major rail station the last bus leaves that station at 5.20pm.

Why is Brisbane City Council allowed to waste valuable service funds on duplicating already existing high frequency bus routes in public transport rich inner Brisbane?  Its mind boggling that there are so many potentially great feeder routes across the entire network but another duplicated inner city bus route makes its appearance first.  It is time that planning for public transport services was removed from Brisbane City Council.  They are not capable of supporting an integrated public transport network.  They waste massive amount of funds by operating bus routes in competition with rail rather than feeding a high frequency core network.

As Lord Mayor, now Premier Campbell Newman wanted the State Government to take over Brisbane Transport.  What a great move, now is the time for the Premier to act on this and match his past rhetoric.  Once TransLink has effective planning control over Brisbane Transport a much more efficient public transport network can be put in place.

Railway stations such as Dakabin and Gailes are acting as parking relief stations  to address the basic issues of the failure to provide effective bus feeder services.  The parking available is verge parking on the sides of roads.  Citizens are forced to drive to these locations as they don't have options as the so called transit hubs - parked out and mediocre bus services.  Frustrated citizens at Dakabin have started their own action group (see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8020.msg93233#msg93233 ).

The new Government, Minister for Transport and Assistant Minister for Public Transport have an immediate task to begin to sort out this festering parking mess.  And simply wasting millions and millions of dollars on park n' rides is not the answer.

Are they up to it?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Media release 31 March 2012

SEQ: Quit insanity on park and ride woes!

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 says the continued expansion of park and ride will make our traffic problems worse.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Governments of all levels are on a major reality avoidance mission - basic geometry suggests that when you have a limited space, whether that be a city or a station car park, if everyone tries to bring their cars into it, it is going to fill up quickly and then the space will run out. Basic economics - the law of demand and supply - suggest that if you give away something in demand for free, there will be excess demand for it and queues will form and it will be exhausted rapidly unless a charge is levied (1, 2, 3)."

"That's why we keep expanding park and ride, at a cost of around $30 000 to $40 000 per car space, billed straight to the taxpayer, the spaces keep filling up, cars enticed by the freebies spill over into suburban streets and the cycle starts all over again. That's a lot of money to spend that could be spent on decent public transport services rather than car storage space. You would have to spend approximately $40 million to fill up ONE 1000-person capacity Queensland Rail train using park and ride. Efficient? Good expenditure of cash? We didn't think so either!"

"A definition of insanity is 'doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.' This is the present car-parking paradigm, insanity."

"Let's face it. There is never going to be a solution until governments accept that park and ride is the highest cost, lowest capacity solution and that frequent, Toronto-style feeder buses are put on, connecting all-day train frequencies are boosted, and parking charges are levied. Perth, Western Australia has no issue charging $2 for car parks at high demand locations - you can even pay with their version of our GoCard (4). In Toronto, Canada, 98% of buses interchange with the subway system, using the buses to fill up the train system. Buses are brought right underneath or next to the station on dedicated bus ramps (5)."

"We understand that governments are reluctant to be seen to be introducing parking charges because it may offend some or look bad. Problem is, with the car park chaos and cars blocking residential streets and households and people being fined, they're looking bad anyway. Concession holders can be given a reduced rate (50% or 80% discount) to meet social welfare and equity objectives."

The solution is very simple:

1. Accept that park and ride is the highest cost, lowest capacity solution.

2. Put more feeder buses on and connecting train frequency all day.

3. Bite the bullet and charge for parking.

"Parking charges will raise money which can then be spent on improving cycling, walking and bus access to stations."

"It is time to quit the insanity on park and ride!"

References:

Supply and demand

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_price_system
3. http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp#axzz1qY1mJjSc

TransPerth car parking

4. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTransperth/CarParking.aspx

TTC bus connection

5.

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[somebody]

From NZ:

First presenter is now a Greens MP & Transport Spokesman.

Lifted from: http://www.bettertransport.org.nz/2009/04/the-cost-of-free-parking/#comments

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Store owners feel pinch of parking fees

Store owners feel pinch of parking fees

    by: Vanessa Croll, Westside News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 02, 2012 12:00AM

Tenants at a Milton retail and business complex say they have been struggling since the landlord's decision to charge customers for short-term parking.

Debra Taylor, owner of Spirit of Life Boutique breast prostheses and mastectomy bra specialist store at One Park Rd, said it was unfair to charge customers $5 for up to one hour of parking.

"It used to be customers could have the first hour free. Most of my clients are in here for a maximum of 45 minutes, some just pop in for five minutes," she said.

"What she (the landlord) doesn't realise is that because these patients are direct from the Wesley Hospital or RBH (Royal Brisbane Hospital), these ladies are sick, they're having chemo and are already feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Throw in the $5 to the mix and it just adds to that.

"I've already had five customers tell me they won't come back because of the parking. Other businesses in the complex are struggling as well.

"Like Subway, add $5 to the cost of a sub and it's just not worth it."


Landlord Edith Dindas said the fees would not be dropped.

"If my business has to take it then their business has to take it, we're all in the same boat. I'm very generous and always have been," Ms Dindas said.

She said the fees for half-day parking would remain at $10 and $15 for the full day.

[somebody]

That's an odd pricing structure.  It gives massively better value to the longest stayers.

[Jonno]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Store owners feel pinch of parking fees

Store owners feel pinch of parking fees

    by: Vanessa Croll, Westside News
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 02, 2012 12:00AM

Tenants at a Milton retail and business complex say they have been struggling since the landlord's decision to charge customers for short-term parking.

Debra Taylor, owner of Spirit of Life Boutique breast prostheses and mastectomy bra specialist store at One Park Rd, said it was unfair to charge customers $5 for up to one hour of parking.

"It used to be customers could have the first hour free. Most of my clients are in here for a maximum of 45 minutes, some just pop in for five minutes," she said.

"What she (the landlord) doesn't realise is that because these patients are direct from the Wesley Hospital or RBH (Royal Brisbane Hospital), these ladies are sick, they're having chemo and are already feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Throw in the $5 to the mix and it just adds to that.

"I've already had five customers tell me they won't come back because of the parking. Other businesses in the complex are struggling as well.

"Like Subway, add $5 to the cost of a sub and it's just not worth it."


Landlord Edith Dindas said the fees would not be dropped.

"If my business has to take it then their business has to take it, we're all in the same boat. I'm very generous and always have been," Ms Dindas said.

She said the fees for half-day parking would remain at $10 and $15 for the full day.

Pricing does seem strange but instead of complaining about parking costs start demanding more frequenct buses that connects major land uses and transit stations.

[#Metro]

How is it unfair? Every other good on Earth has a charge levied to moderate demand in the face of excess supply. This is particularly important for land because unlike bread on a shelf, there is no 'land factory' where you can just churn out more land or space for car parks.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Car-pooling with Brisbane strangers online may cut transport costs, but comes with risk warn police

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Cost of parking taking a toll on social and professional situations, new survey finds

Cost of parking taking a toll on social and professional situations, new survey finds

QUEENSLANDERS spend the equivalent of $35 for every man, woman and child a year on car parking, with private parking stations, local governments and other organisations raking in around $162 million in fees.

Research undertaken by insurer Bingle as part of its "Cost of Motoring Index" has come up with the figure based on the amount paid for on and off-street parking, multi-storey car parks, parking permits and contracts and parking bay rentals.

The total amount paid in Queensland was dramatically less than Victoria ($368 million) and New South Wales ($300 million).

Michelle Vine from Bingle said parking was not only hurting us in the hip-pocket, but was a major source of stress.

Nearly one-in-four of the 1200 motorists surveyed said they regularly left social gatherings or meetings early to move their car to avoid parking fines and fees, she said.

"Keeping an eye on the clock because you have to move your car, and emptying your wallet as you feed the meter, is a huge drain on productivity during the work day and your finances," Ms Vine said.

The survey also found 51 per cent of drivers had parked a considerable distance from their destination, simply to save some money.

"Drivers can pay up to $65 for just four hours parking in a Brisbane CBD parking station not exactly loose change," said Ms Vine.

"Parking stations and council-run car parks are costing Queensland drivers a whopping $75 million a year in total."

Ms Vine said while the "park and walk" strategy may be better for the wallet and waistline, it was not always feasible.

"It is possible to save on parking costs by doing a little research and making sure you know the deals, whether it's the first three hours free or discount rates at certain times," said Ms Vine.

"Being prepared could mean serious savings on parking."

[#Metro]

"Drivers can pay up to $65 for just four hours parking in a Brisbane CBD parking station not exactly loose change," said Ms Vine.

Most of these places are commercial operations. The implication here is that it is 'unfair' that these places are making money they do. All that parking space could be better used as office space for professionals etc, which who are paid more than ~ $8 per hour.

A lot of people who park in the CBD are executives and professionals - $65 is nothing for someone earning $200 or $300 per hour. And not only that, parking on the fringes of the CBD is significantly lower than in the central core of the CBD. The comparison depends on something subjective - what is included as 'CBD' or 'Brisbane'.

[somebody]

Here's one from New York:

http://vimeo.com/22875828
Lifted from: http://transportsydney.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/the-high-cost-of-on-street-parking/

[SurfRail]

We pay a LOT more than $35 for parking each year - even the people who don't drive or use "paid" parking.  People don't seem to grasp this, or attach any importance to it, which just staggers me.

[somebody]

Did anyone say that we only pay $35 p.a. ?

[SurfRail]

Did anyone say that we only pay $35 p.a. ?

The CM article above.  That is only the Queensland figure, which appears to be significantly less than elsewhere.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Carindale sets paid parking timetable

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Northern Busway commuters tipped to clog Lutwyche streets and shopping centre

[SurfRail]

So is he going to roll back paid parking in the CBD?

There is a large scale PT system to the CBD, not as much to the suburban shopping centres

Still plenty of buses to Chermside and Carindale though.

If we were talking about the Acacia Ridge shops or somewhere like that, then fair comment I suppose.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Plenty from the city.... not many feeding locals into it

[somebody]

But we need more parking in the inner city because trains are too slow

Touche!

[ozbob]

Channel 7 News Paid Parking --> here!

[ozbob]

Media release 25 May 2012

SEQ: Carindale and the high cost of 'free' parking

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 says the continued expansion of park and ride will make our traffic problems worse.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track notes today's announcement that Westfield Carindale will introduce paid parking to its 5922 parking spaces from July this year. The stated aim of this measure is to shift commuters from the shopping centre - or at least make them pay up to $20 if they decide to leave their car there all day."

"We understand that this is a highly controversial issue. However, while there is some place for measured park and ride, particularly in the case of low-density outer suburbs and for patrons with special needs, the facts are that, due to the high cost of land acquisition, it is not surprising that calls to retain free parking have not been met."

"The fact is land costs money, so that cost has to be recovered somehow - recouped through shopping centre rents which ultimately are paid by all shoppers (even the ones that rode a bicycle or caught a bus there) or recouped through state funds (in the case of commuter park and ride). Indeed, there is no such thing as free parking. Just because the cost is hidden or obscured doesn't mean that we aren't all somehow paying for it."

"Car parks can easily cost up to $40,000 each. To fill ONE 65-seat bus using park and ride, you are looking at $2.6 million. For that amount of money you could buy two buses and employ two drivers and still have cash to spare. To fill ONE 1000-person capacity 6-carriage train using park and ride, you'd need to spend an astronomical $40 MILLION DOLLARS. Got money for that? We didn't think so either!"

"Nobody can complain that shopping centres are introducing paid parking when Brisbane City Council itself charges for car parking around Brisbane. At least the shopping centres have a 3 hour grace period. We agree that staff should be reimbursed for parking, as the is effectively a wage cut for many staff."

"What is needed are decent feeder bus services - frequent, fast and with a decent span of hours (so that workers and shoppers can get to the shops before they open and get home after), 7-days a week. The 590 and 598/599 buses into Carindale also needs to be fixed. Where decent bus services exist and demand exceeds supply, charges for car parking (park and ride) should also be considered. Over in Perth, Western Australia, they already do this."

"Free car parking for everyone is a myth and a fantasy. There is no such thing."

References:

1. Carindale sets paid parking timetable
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/carindale-sets-paid-parking-timetable-20120523-1z568.html

2. How free is your parking? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l_O6dR7YfvM#!

3. 16 May 2012: SEQ: Kippa-Ring and the high cost of 'free' parking
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8335.0

4. SEQ: Core Frequent Network: 590 & The Great Circle Line Overhaul http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8126.msg94870#msg94870

5. Perth Park and Ride http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTransperth/CarParking.aspx

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Paid parking to begin at Westfield Carindale by August

Paid parking to begin at Westfield Carindale by August

    by: Sarah Vogler
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 25, 2012 12:00AM

BRISBANE shoppers are just weeks away from having to pay for the privilege to shop at another of the city's largest and most popular centres.

Westfield yesterday confirmed its mid-year deadline with paid parking to begin at its Carindale centre by August following the controversial rollout at its Chermside centre last year.

But the retailer continued to play its cards close to its chest when it comes to the future rollout at other stores, maintaining there are no plans to extend the scheme to other centres such as Garden City but refusing to rule out such a move.

It is estimated more than four million parking tickets were handed out at the Chermside centre in the first three months of paid parking, with more than 300,000 of those attracting a charge.

Staff paying to park during work hours is estimated to have raised about $15,000 a week.

The retailer would not give exact details on how much had been made from the scheme or its success, but sales were up according to its annual report.

Many businesses at the centre have suffered, however, including food businesses, with one owner reporting a drop in profits of 15-20 per cent.

He called for the centre to offer incentives such as an extra period of free parking if they produced receipts to show they were spending in the centre.

It follows further debate over the role council played in the rollout, with the opposition continuing to claim the LNP administration could stop it.

Five petitions against paid parking at Carindale with a total of 2217 signatures and one against paid parking at Chermside with 5541 signatures came before council on Tuesday night.

Labor Cr Kim Flesser accused the administration of being "too scared" to take Westfield on.

"This council can put conditions on car park development," he said.

Planning chairwoman Cr Amanda Cooper, however, accused the opposition of making "desperate claims", standing by council legal advice that council could not stop the rollout.

"We are not in the habit of spending ratepayers' money . . . on legal claims that we know are bound to fail," Cr Cooper said.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Council shuts two car parks at Newstead run by Secure Parking

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail Quest click here!

Community support group Rail Back on Track say paid parking at Westfield Carindale was an inevitability

Community support group Rail Back on Track say paid parking at Westfield Carindale was an inevitability

    by: Josh Alston, South-East Advertiser
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 25, 2012 9:41AM

COMMUNITY support group Rail Back on Track have supported this week's confirmation that paid parking is coming to the local Westfield store in July calling free parking a `myth'.

Group spokesman Robert Dow has also raised extreme doubts over calls for a free park and ride facility in Carindale saying the costs outweigh the benefits.

Despite five petitions containing 7658 signatures in opposition being presented to Council on Tuesday it was confirmed on Thursday that the centre will follow the lead of Westfield Chermside and introduce paid parking for its 5922 car spaces.

Shoppers will be allowed to park for free for three hours or with purchases over $150. Anything beyond that will attract a fee of anywhere up to $20 a day.

The move is expected to discourage residents using the centre as a day parking service while they use public transport operating out of the centre.

It is a move Mr Dow said was inevitable.

"Free car parking for everyone is a myth and a fantasy. There is no such thing,'' he said.

He said the solution lay in creating better bus services to the region.

"What is needed are decent feeder bus services - frequent, fast and with a decent span of hours so that workers and shoppers can get to the shops before they open and get home after, 7-days a week,'' Mr Dow said.

"The 590 and 598/599 buses into Carindale also needs to be fixed.

"Where decent bus services exist and demand exceeds supply, charges for car parking (park and ride) should also be considered. Over in Perth, Western Australia, they already do this.''

[ozbob]

This yarn (above) at Couriermail Quest will stir them up I reckon.  It is needed, we simply cannot afford to keep going on an endless costly cycle of park n' ride and terrible feeder buses.  Park and ride is needed outer suburban and so forth.  Certainly not needed inner suburbs with plenty of public and active transport options. Some disabled parking etc. is needed but that's it.

Should the park and ride at Toowong be charged for?  (yes, there is some there).

Car parking issues are the biggest cause of complaint to Council.  Present policies are failing, it is a nightmare on so many levels.  Time to be brave and sort it.

[somebody]

Surprised at how few bogans are commenting.

Yes, Toowong should be charged for.

[Stillwater]

We should push for more 'kiss and ride' facilities at stations - mum drives dad to the station, quick drop-off and a kiss, then she drives back home where she has the use of the family car for the day.

[ozbob]

From Couriermail Quest click here!

Chatsworth MP and Assistant Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin vows to deliver Carindale park and ride

Chatsworth MP and Assistant Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin vows to deliver Carindale park and ride

    by: Josh Alston, South-East Advertiser
    From: Quest Newspapers
    May 29, 2012 9:40AM

NEW Assistant Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin, working to deliver a park and ride facility, has promised an end to Carindale residents being forced to "park and hide".

With Westfield Carindale to introduce paid parking in July or early August, the need for a dedicated park and ride facility right has been contentious.

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner, a long-time crusader for the facility, met Mr Minnikin, the member for Chatsworth, last week to get planning under way.

Mr Minnikin has already spoken to Translink about bringing the facility to vacant land at the corner of Creek and Old Cleveland roads.

"The former Transport Minister and current leader of the Opposition Anastasia Palaszczuk had a policy that forced commuters to park and hide around major hubs like Carindale," he said. "I've met with Brisbane City Council and told TransLink to start the process to improve commuter access to an area at the southern end of the shopping centre.

"Westfield Carindale is a private organisation and paid parking is their choice," he said. "However I've spoken to Westfield centre management and informed them of plans to better utilise the land for public transport customers."

Mr Schrinner said the support of Mr Minnikin was invaluable and he hoped his long-running fight to get the facility rubber-stamped would end positively in the near future.

"We'll continue working to make sure there is a park and ride for commuters and encourage people to use public transport," he said.

"Ultimately it will be up to the State Government to make an announcement as it will be a Translink facility but I'm hoping that we will get confirmation pretty soon. Plans are progressing," Mr Schrinner said.