Residents' uphill fight Author: By MATTHEW KELLY Date: 05/09/2006 Publication: Newcastle Herald
MORE than 2000 Newcastle city residents and workers have registered their opposition to the introduction of parking meters on The Hill.
Newcastle Grammar School teacher Mitchell Brain said yesterday the response to his petition against the meters had been overwhelming.
"We now have 2292 signatures after five weeks," Mr Brain, who plans to present the petition to Newcastle City Council, said.
Mr Brain has approached businesses in Hunter Street Mall, the CBD and Darby Street in recent weeks.
"A lot of businesses in the mall have told me their part-time workers can't afford to pay for parking," he said.
Cutcher & Neale accountants Partner Sandy MacNeill agreed the extension of paid parking on The Hill would drive workers out of the city.
"If staff have a choice between working in the CBD and Waratah, a lot of them would choose Waratah," he said.
Mr MacNeill said the firm considered staff parking when it looked at moving from Bolton Street last year.
It has since decided to create a 36-space car park for staff and clients.
The council is due to consider the extension of the parking meter zone strategy next week.
The Hill parking plan forms part of Newcastle City Council's city centre parking strategy, which was adopted in 2002.
The council said consultation last March showed 60 per cent of those who took part were in favour of metered parking on The Hill.