$2 million to implement CBD parking meters plan

WOLLONGONG ratepayers will have to fork out up to $2 million to purchase 130 parking meters across the city if a plan to bring in paid parking is endorsed.

It will take about seven years to pay for the units, which would be dotted around Wollongong's CBD.

Wollongong City Council's plan to charge a flat $2 rate for parking in more than half the CBD's on-street spaces was placed on exhibition on Tuesday.

The council's infrastructure director Peter Kofod said between $1 million and $2 million would be raised from the meters per year.

"The goal of the parking meter strategy is to increase the turnover of current spaces and the availability of short-term spaces," he said.

"It is clear public education and rangers have had a limited effect in changing behaviour and preventing people overstaying in parking spots.

The council said money raised would go towards off-street parking spaces in the city centre, footpath and bike path improvements, re-opening of the Keira St transit mall and other traffic and parking improvements.

The plan includes no time line for increasing public transport or building new parking stations.

The comments come as key political and business leaders voiced objection to the plan.

Illawarra Property Council chairman Geoff Jones believes there should be more consideration given to providing more parking spaces.

The GPT Group, owners of Wollongong Central, said that while "paid parking is widely recognised as the best management tool" the measure should accompany investment in public transport and other strategies.

Wollongong Sports Ground Trust chairman Chris Christodoulou fears that metered parking might stop concert-goers and sports fans attending WIN Stadium events.

MERCURY SAYS

While meters will raise up to $2 million per year, there could not be a worse time to introduce a disincentive to residents coming into the city. The nation's economy is as good as in recession and our retailers are bearing the brunt of this.