Congestion levy fuels illegal CBD parking Author: By CAMERON HOUSTON, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REPORTER Publication: The Age
MELBOURNE'S car park operators have slammed the State Government's enforcement of the controversial congestion levy, which has resulted in a booming black market in private car parks.
CBD residents are exempt from the $400 tax and many are leasing their parking spaces to office workers for up to $400 a month.
Several internet sites have been established to cater for the burgeoning market, with most listings coming from South Melbourne and Southbank.
The tax is set to double to $800 next year and the car parking industry has urged the State Government to clamp down on city residents who continue to flout the levy.
"Without firm action, we will simply see vehicles move from car parks that must pay the levy to residents' car parks," Wilson Parking general manager, Craig Smith, said.
Wilson manages about 22,000 car parks within the congestion levy zone and has been slugged with an annual bill of $9 million.
"If the Bracks Government wants us to believe this tax really is about lowering congestion they would immediately increase compliance and do away with the idea of letting residents off the hook," Mr Smith said.
A spokeswoman for Treasurer John Brumby said city residents had to pay the levy on any private car parks used for commercial purposes.
But in a statement likely to infuriate the car parking industry, a State Revenue Office spokesman said it was unlikely that fines would be imposed on residents who had avoided the tax.