Car parking - solutions?

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 11th October 2010 page 25 Viewpoint

Commuter car parks aren't free





Excellent Viewpoint article by Mr Hale.   

[ozbob]

ABC Radio National click here!

Saving the world one parking space at a time

If you work in the central business district of an Australian city and drive to work, then you're foolish or wealthy - or someone else pays for your parking. Because all-day parking in Australian capital cities doesn't come cheap. Just take Sydney, where it could cost you around $57 - that makes the harbour-city the fifth most expensive city in the world in which to park. Only Abu Dhabi, Oslo, Tokyo and London will cost you more. Perth isn't far behind, while Melbourne and Brisbane are only slightly more affordable. So here's a revolutionary idea: we're not paying enough to park our wheels - not by a long stretch. That's the thesis of Donald Shoup, an economist and professor of urban planning at the University of California, whose 2005 book 'The High Cost of Free Parking' has sent a shiver down the spine of many a motorist. His theory is that parking in Australia is being subsidised - by planning requirements requiring a certain number of parking spaces in new buildings, by employers offering staff free parking as part of their pay package, by shopping centres providing parking spaces to their customers. Is it time to de-bundle the cost of parking?

[Jonno]

Donald Shoup for mayor!!

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> ACCC questions airport parking delays

[ozbob]

Courier Mail --> Meter growth irks residents but earns council $3 million

[#Metro]

The only other alternative is free parking all day long.
There is a compromise: I think parking should be left up to the market to provide, at market rates.

[curator49]

There is an uproar from Parkinson, Calamvale and Algester residents currently as Translink proposes to build a "Park n'Ride" facility at the corner of Algester and Beaudesert Roads (opposite Illaweena Street).

The residents are rightly very concerned as the facility is obviously not aimed at these residents as for them to get to the facility they will have to enter Beaudesert Road at Nottingham Road and travel along Beaudesert Road to turn right into Algester Road (although some will probably do an illegal U-turn at the Algester Road/Beaudesert Road intersection). This car park will be most likely be occupied by people from Logan (Browns Plains etc) making a very busy intersection even more congested.

The buses serving this route are already pretty well full by the time they cross Beaudesert Road from Illaweena Street yet they have to pick up many more passengers as they travel through Parkinson and Algester. Most local residents WALK to these bus stops but, if the buses are constantly overcrowded they will drive to the city instead creating more congestion on the roads. 

[Golliwog]

Or this could be part of a push from TL to focus the passengers on that node where there are 3 BUZ's to spread the load across, and while they haven't said anything yet, they could possibly be upping the frequency or using bigger buses.

EDIT: Just had a look at the page on the Translink website. The proposed design shown there has a right turn from Algester Rd into the PnR, so no they won't have to go around via Nottingham Rd or do an illegal U-Turn. But still, I would prefer to see more bike racks included to encourage active transport.

[curator49]

Thanks Golliwog. The information I had was from a mail-out by local Council member Angela Owen-Taylor received yesterday. It was the first I had heard anything about this project. Incorrect information. What else from a politician?

The TL website does say that there is no intention to alter bus services.

Knowing the traffic through there I can see congestion problems.

[Golliwog]

True, but Translink don't like to say they're going to do something, or make changes unless they have it all approved already. They've made some fairly late in the game announcements about when timetable changes are going to take effect in the past.

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
01/04/2011

Extra car parks for Varsity lakes

Extra commuter car parks will be made available at Varsity Lakes rail station this month, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

Ms Palaszczuk, who visited the station this morning, said the interim expansion of the existing car park would cater for between 50 to 100 extra spaces on top of the 300 spaces already on-site.

"Since opening in 2009 the Varsity Station has proved to be very popular with commuters on the Gold Coast," she said.

"So popular in fact that local MP Christine Smith spoke with me to raise her concerns regarding the need for additional parking at the station.

"I understand station parking has been particularly popular of late given road improvement work being undertaken on the M1 but we don't want commuters to park illegally.

"If we can provide more spaces to get people on public transport we will."

Mrs Smith said she was pleased action had been taken to increase parking space numbers.

"It's fantastic that Varsity Lakes rail station has become so popular with residents and I'm very pleased that the State Government has taken steps to make even more parking available for commuters."

Ms Palaszczuk said work was needed to provide better access, extend pedestrian links and build new stairs for the interim expansion.

"I'm advised work should take about a month to complete, pending weather."

Demand for continuing spaces in the interim expansion will be assessed in July.

Existing facilities already in place at the $25 million station include:

· 4.1 kilometres of dual electrified track to a new station at Varsity Lakes;

· 300 commuter car parking spaces;

· 22 bicycle lockers and additional secure bicycle storage;

· Bus interchange with covered walkway to the station;

· 10 taxi bays;

· Kiss 'n' ride facility;

· Disability access.

[Jonno]

New Minister but old transport planning mistakes.  Varsity Lakes is a TOD the shod be little or no parking for 200m and limited parking for another 200!!!

[somebody]

Urgh.  There are so many issues with the feeder buses at Varsity Lakes.

[ozbob]

Media release 3 April 2011

SEQ: Gold Coast: Feeder buses or car 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 commuters has said that the upgrade to the car parking at Varsity Lakes (1), while better than nothing, isn't as important as feeder bus upgrades.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There have been several upgrades to the bus services since Varsity Lakes opened with minimal feeder bus services, only bus routes 753 and 756 on 13 December 2009.  Six months later, bus route 765 was downgraded by being diverted into Varsity Lakes for no apparent reason other than to silence a commuter backlash, but the good news was the creation of bus route 761.  In spite of limitations, the 761 has been a big success, which was upgraded again late last year (2).  The other main improvement has been the creation of the 769 bus route."

"The cost of operating the 761 is estimated by RAIL Back on Track to be under $2m annually based on the previous Minister's figures to facilitate 4000 trips/week, ignoring extra trips generated by the upgrade, while the cost of the car park upgrades have not been public but cannot be as cost effective and can only generate 350-700 weekly trips at most."

RAIL Back on Track has some specific concerns with the timetable (3) for the 761:

1)  Why does the half hourly frequency not apply to those wishing to use the service to arrive at Brisbane Central before 9am on a weekday?

2)  Why no increase in operating hours: The train leaving Central at 6:54pm is the last one to connect with a 761 service, and this is 1 hour earlier on weekends.

3)  Why bother with connecting to the train at Robina when it has already connected at Varsity Lakes?  Passengers in between Robina and Varsity Lakes stations can use the 765 and 753 services.  This also undoes the advantage of the Varsity Lakes rail extension for the affected passengers as they must wait at Varsity Lakes for the slower bus service to catch up and allow for coordination at Robina station.  In fact, they are worse off than they would otherwise be as the bus must deviate into Varsity Lakes station.  This service should terminate at Robina Town Centre and co-ordinate with the train at Varsity Lakes station.

4)  While the 761 service in the evenings could be tacked on to the 765, this would mean that either the 765 would need to continue to serve Varsity Lakes station (see next point) or that passengers would need to remember to get off the train at Robina instead.  Both of these options are significantly inferior to late night 761 trips.

5)  The other point is that the 765 which previously provided service south of "The Pines" should be returned to its previous routing along Christine Ave and not serve Varsity Lakes station, as this is a rather useless deviation and doesn't actually service anyone while removing a service which meets almost every train from parts of Christine Ave.  This would allow the 761 to use Scottsdale Dr rather than needing to provide a service to part of Christine Ave.

"RAIL Back on Track repeats its urging for the Gold Coast timetable revamp to be done quickly (4) to allow these issues to be sorted.  The Ipswich timetable revamp has dragged on for three years since the 'first sod was turned' around March 2008 (5), and is still not implemented.

"There is a need for the 761, 765 and ideally the 769 services to meet every train."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/299

2. http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=73004

3. http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/services-and-timetables/timetables/110131_761.pdf

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5570.0

5. South West News, 19 March 2008, p29

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Brisbane CBD carpark costs are driving shoppers and families away

Brisbane CBD carpark costs are driving shoppers and families away

    Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 03, 2011 12:00AM

THE crippling cost of short-term parking in Brisbane's CBD is putting it out of reach of shoppers, families and diners.

Research commissioned by the RACQ has found Brisbane drivers pay the second-highest price in Australia for city parking and the third-highest in the Asia Pacific region behind Tokyo and Sydney, at an average $21.70 an hour.

By comparison, Melbourne City drivers pay an average $15.98 and Sydney $25.83.

Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry general policy manager Nick Behrens said business owners would overwhelmingly prefer the cost of carparking was reduced to encourage shoppers.

"Shopping centres compete with one another and if one is offering free carparking, that's obviously a competitive advantage," Mr Behrens said. "Brisbane's CBD needs to have something over and above (suburban shopping centres) and the number of stores and quality of stores can only take you so far."

RACQ external manager Paul Turner said the cost of CBD parking was putting the city out of reach for many.

"As any of us who have parked in the inner-city realise, the costs have increased significantly over the years, particularly for short-term parking," he said. "This means that the city is becoming less attractive as a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment."

Brisbane's most expensive carpark, in the Riverside Centre, charges $21 for less than 30 minutes or a maximum of $67 for three hours or more. Multiply that by the total number of bays, 563, and the carpark has a potential daily earning capacity of $37,721.

Secure Parking general marketing manager David Knight said the price of parking was determined by supply, demand and location.

"Rent contributes a significant portion to our cost base," Mr Knight said. "In many instances, Secure operates in a tenancy situation and because the majority of our carparks are located in city CBDs, we're subject to city rent which, as any tenant knows, is typically more expensive than outer suburban or regional areas."

A cheaper option is to lease a carpark, with prices starting from $80 a week in the CBD.

Lawyer Bronwyn Nosse said she and her partner were considering leasing instead of paying $115 a week in bus fares from Loganholme. That would rise to $130 a week next year with TransLink price hikes.

"At the moment what's keeping us on the bus, is the thought of fighting the traffic all the way," Ms Nosse said.

[Jonno]

Just like the RACQ to make a statement that ignores the realities and evidence from around the world.  Some of the most vibrant and profitable retail centers have little or no parking.  It is this exact lack of cars in these centers that make them so attractive.  What Brisbane lacks is the frequent, fast and connected public transport system plus an connected and physicaly separated cycling network.

RACQ you are a transport dinosaur.  Please stick to rescuing standard motorist which you are good at and leave transport commentary to those who know what they ate talking about.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane CBD parking is Asia's third most expensive

Brisbane CBD parking is Asia's third most expensive
Marissa Calligeros
May 3, 2011 - 9:00AM

Brisbane's central business district has the most expensive short-term parking in Asia after Sydney and Tokyo, according to a report by Queensland's peak motoring group.

In 2001, parking in the centre of the city cost an average of $6.64 for one hour.

It has since increased more than 200 per cent to $21.65 for up to one hour.

The TTM Consulting report, commissioned by RACQ and released today, shows the average cost of one-hour parking in the Brisbane CBD is 26 per cent higher than in Melbourne ($15.98).

Motorists pay about $4 more to park in the Sydney CBD, where prices are generally 19 per cent higher ($25.83) than those in Brisbane.

State government charges are not levied on non-residential parking spaces in Brisbane's CBD, unlike in Sydney and Melbourne, where government charges push up prices in the order of 25 per cent, the report shows.

Short-term weekend parking costs have increased threefold since 2001 in Brisbane's CBD, despite there being no state government levy on non-residential spaces.

The average cost of two-hour parking in 2001 was $10.18 compared with the current cost of $30.58.

The average cost for four-hour parking in 2001 was $16.61. It is now $48. The report notes that central business district parking supply is based on "parking limitation" policies which constrain parking supply at levels below demand.

The report also revealed the central and north zones of the Brisbane CBD, from North Quay, to Turbot, Boundary and Wickham streets, are the cheapest areas to park in, with the average daily charge less than $50.

The most expensive areas to park are in the east and south zones of the CBD, between Elizabeth, Edward, Queen and Eagle streets, with the average daily charge more than $55.

While overall CBD parking supply has increased over the past two decades, parking supply has increasingly become privatised and inaccessible to the general public, particularly at weekends and in evening periods, the report says.

"The consequential casual short-term parking price outcome has been exacerbated by the introduction of on-street metered pricing and the lack of any significant commercial car park development in the CBD for several decades," the report reads.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said excessive parking costs could cripple the CBD's restaurants and shops.

"As any of us who have parked in the inner city realise, the costs have increased significantly over the years, particularly for short-term parking," he said.

"This means that the city is becoming less attractive as a destination for shopping, dining or entertainment.

"I think we would all want a CBD like Paris rather than Dallas in the years ahead," Mr Turner said.

"Unfortunately our CBD is heading in the direction of Dallas where the only ones who can afford to park in the city are commuters on early bird or all-day parking.

"This means that in the future the restaurants, cinemas and shops will be replaced by office blocks as short-term parking becomes even more expensive."

Mr Turner said very few stand-alone car parking stations had been built in the city over the past 30 years and that this should be considered as a way of keeping the city attractive for casual car parkers.

"We need to unlock more casual car parks so the price comes down and the Brisbane CBD remains a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the years ahead," he said

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-cbd-parking-is-asias-third-most-expensive-20110503-1e5ky.html#ixzz1LFpSOuzr

[Stillwater]

This is all a nonsense.  The cost of parking a private car in Brisbane is a defacto congestion tax.  Can't afford to park you car in the city? ... take a bus or a train instead.  Fringe benefits tax should be adjusted to make it less attractive for someone to have a car as part of salary package.  There is no such thing as a 'free' employer provided car parking space.  Someone pays.

[Golliwog]

Ummm. RACQ guy says we want a CBD like Paris? I would say yes, yes we do. PT all around for everyone.

[Gazza]

LOLWUT! So the RACV wants the CBD to be like Paris rather than Dallas. Well, the way to do that is to have less car parks, not more.
Ever been to a CBD in an American city? It's such bizarre land use,  ground level car parks (not even multi decks) right next to Skyscrapers. I've seen it first hand in LA and San Diego.
I mean, just look at the Dallas CBD, you can see the exact same thing:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=google+maps+dallas&oe=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Dallas,+Texas,+United+States&gl=au&ll=32.780068,-96.802039&spn=0.006531,0.013894&t=h&z=17

This totally deserves a response by RBoT....just cant get over how stupid the RACQ is!
Can I write it? I could do it when I get home.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=google+maps+dallas&oe=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Dallas,+Texas,+United+States&gl=au&ll=32.779084,-96.80087&spn=0,0.013894&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=32.779083,-96.802871&panoid=sxVNbcQ0zRrMU5aT5E6jug&cbp=12,310.59,,0,-11.68

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=google+maps+dallas&oe=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Dallas,+Texas,+United+States&gl=au&ll=32.783648,-96.802014&spn=0,0.006947&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=32.783648,-96.802014&panoid=hy0bKe26mrhfOOAU_4m8lw&cbp=12,159.16,,0,1.39

[ozbob]

This totally deserves a response by RBoT....just cant get over how stupid the RACQ is!
Can I write it? I could do it when I get home.

Please do ...   :bi

[Fares_Fair]

Did someone say "train" ?
Maybe we could start a RTCQ.

Regards,
Fares_Fair

[mufreight]

The point is rapidly being reached where many will not be able to afforde to commute to work in the CBD, if using private transport the ever increasing costs of vehicle registeration, fuel, tolls and parking costs, leaves only the option of public transport which with the ongoing 15% annual fare increases and a diminishing level of reliability and extended transit times is becoming daily less viable.
Given time many will if unable to work localy opt out of the workforce and have the taxpayers pay them, a less than viable option for government and those workers paying taxes.
It is perhaps time to reconsider the approach to the effect of commuter cost to not only the individual but also the economy as a whole.
Efficent, convenient, frequent and affordable (or free) public transport would seem to be a preferable option to the current ever worsening mess that exists at the present time.

[Gazza]

If you work in the CBD though, its safe to say you can afford current fares, even with the increases. I'm on a graduate wage, and earn bugger all, and can afford it.

[#Metro]

OMG, P-A-R-I-S Again

Not every city in the world is like Paris.

[Jonno]

Sorry TT but I will happily take Paris over a Dallas any day.  There is lots to admire about Paris but the same goes for Vienna, Copenhagen, Prague, Vancouver, Berlin...

[Gazza]

Tramtrain, isn't that a Parisian tram in your avatar anyway  

What exactly is your problem with Paris anyway? How are they unsucessful?

[#Metro]

It just seems that no thought to how things are in Brisbane and how they should be adapted is given. "Just copy paris" seems to be the order of the day...

[O_128]

It just seems that no thought to how things are in Brisbane and how they should be adapted is given. "Just copy paris" seems to be the order of the day...

ehh not the worst thing, Paris has no parking 

[Fares_Fair]

I hope that doesn't mean another fact-finding mission ...

What do they say?
"When in Rome, do as the Romans"
oops wrong country.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Golliwog]

It just seems that no thought to how things are in Brisbane and how they should be adapted is given. "Just copy paris" seems to be the order of the day...

ehh not the worst thing, Paris has no parking 

Does so, just harder to find.

TT, I don't see it as "Just copy Paris" but seeing ideas elsewhere and trying to adapt and use them here. Theres nothing wrong with that, and people on this board frequently criticise the government (all levels) for not doing so.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Inner-city carparks in commercial buildings to double under Brisbane City Council amendments

Inner-city carparks in commercial buildings to double under Brisbane City Council amendments

    Anthony Gough
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 11, 2011 12:00AM

NEW guidelines passed by the Brisbane City Council on Tuesday night double the minimum number of carparks in inner-city commercial buildings as part of a suite of measures to provide more parking around the city.

The amendments to the Transport, Access, Parking and Servicing Planning Scheme Policy also require low-cost and student accommodation to have at least one carpark per unit, and large developments to provide parking and other facilities for cyclists.

Neighbourhood Planning chairman Amanda Cooper said the measures would help fix parking problems around Brisbane.

"This is a real solution that will help ensure we can accommodate growth without making the city's parking problems worse," Cr Cooper said.

"This policy is fixing the parking issues caused by Labor's past planning failures that allowed high rises to be built in areas like New Farm without the carparks to match."

But Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith said the new amendments did nothing to address the issue of on-street parking, which was choking residential areas.

"This policy will ensure the existing problem of suburban streets being parked out will continue," he said.

"Residents all over Brisbane are objecting to the construction of units in their streets, and increased demand for on-street car parking is a reoccurring key objection."

He said the administration had failed to update elements of the policy such as parking ratios, which had not been updated for more than 10 years.

"This LNP administration is clearly operating on autopilot, and hoping no one will notice their laziness," he said.

But Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Labor had done nothing while in office to combat Brisbane's parking problems, and the new amendments set concrete minimums for parking provision which would yield real results.

"The important thing is that this sets minimums, this isn't just some fairy floss number that can be whittled away," he said.

[dwb]

Yep, so all those cars will try and squish on to the roads. And here I was (overseas) thinking that it might be return to the nest in Brisbane.

Stupidity triumphs again!

[Jonno]

This is the most stupid policy decision any city could make!! This will make driving in the city a unmitigated nightmare. Our Lord Mayor has just shown he has absolutely no idea what is causing his traffic problems or how ho fix it.  Blind leading the blind.

[Zoiks]

This made me so angry I wrote a letter to the Lord Mayor:

Dear Lord Mayor,
I refer to this article found on the Brisbane Times website on Wednesday the 11th of May regarding the plan to increase the minimum number of car parks in new developments (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/changes-to-ease-innercity-parking-squeeze-20110511-1ehtc.html#comments)

This is an utterly ridiculous policy that goes against the direction that the council has been striving for over the last few years: a sustainable city for the people of Brisbane.

This initiative will only serve as 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 should 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.

Please Mr. Quirk, I beg of you to take a stand on this. Differentiate yourself from your road centric predecessor and stop this madness. The wrong decision now will take city planners many years and many millions of dollars to rectify in the future.
Make Brisbane a sustainable city. Make it a city for people.

Regards
Zoiks

I urge you all to do the same

[somebody]

Sydney hiked its parking tax from $950p.a. to $2000p.a. plus GST a couple of years ago.  Brisbane is effectively requiring a subsidy for parking.

Is there anywhere else in the world so intransigent as to think we should encourage peak hour CBD car trips?  I'd be surprised.

[ozbob]

Media release 12 May 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

[dwb]

This should be compulsory reading for all of Brisbane City Council.

This should be compulsory reading for all Councillors of Brisbane City and other local governments in Queensland. Problem is the Councillors, not the bureaucrats.

Personally I think BCC is having a go at the State Government to see if they will overrule the policy amendment, and they're trying to use it for political advantage prior to the election.

Where is the development community? I would have expected them to have something to say on this.... or actually they mostly want as many commercial spaces as possible and as few residential as possible, so perhaps they're pleased for the time being.

The Queensland Government Architect must be shaking his head in frustration... this seems to be Council's titt for his tatt in halving the parking requirement in the called in approval of the FKP "The Milton" development.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Westfield Chermside to introduce paid parking after three-hour limit for free parking

    by Sarah Vogler
    From: The Courier-Mail
    June 23, 2011 12:00AM

A MAJOR southeast Queensland shopping centre will introduce paid parking in October, more than 18 months after initial plans were scuttled.

Documents obtained by The Courier-Mail reveal Westfield Chermside plans to introduce a three-hour limit for free parking in a bid to stop commuters taking up spaces meant for shoppers.

Just how much drivers will be charged once the three-hour limit is exceeded is not expected to be revealed until September but the retail property group is expected to announce its plans for the regulated parking today.

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.

Westfield had considered introducing a similar scheme at Garden City shopping centre on Brisbane's southside.

According to a pamphlet produced by Westfield, about 25 per cent of parks are being taken up by non-shoppers.

"A large proportion of non-shoppers are using valuable spaces all day at Westfield Chermside which causes frustration for genuine shoppers who can't find a park," it says.

The pamphlet says that most shoppers would not be disadvantaged.

"Our research shows that 93 per cent of our customers do not stay longer than three hours, so most of our shoppers won't be impacted by these changes," it says.

The upgraded parking system will be launched in October, along with a valet parking service.

Coloured lights will help guide drivers to free parks and registered disabled parking permit holders will not have to pay.

The group first applied to introduce managed parking at the Chermside site in 2008 but the following year Brisbane City Council rejected its plans.

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.

At Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney, drivers can park free for two hours before charges set in with $7 for the first half hour, $10 for the first hour, up to $50 for more than seven hours.

More than 14,000 people signed up to a protest Facebook page to reject the plans last time they were mooted by Westfield.

Parking limits are already in force at a handful of smaller shopping centres across the city including the Barracks, Petrie Terrace and at the Paddington Central Shopping Centre.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23 June 2011

Car parking, there are solutions ...

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://railbotforum.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://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1262.0

3.  http://railbotforum.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