West Australian News Humdinger 4WDs face parking penalty 27th October 2006, 7:45 WST
Motorists driving fuel-guzzling cars could be hit with extra parking fees under an idea being considered by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
Details of the plan emerged yesterday as Holden announced it would sell the infamous Hummer H3 in Australia. The vehicle weighs about 2.2 tonnes and is about 20cm wider than most big four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Ms MacTiernan said motorists should consider more fuelefficient cars to save money, the environment and possibly lives.
She is considering reviewing bay sizes in public carparks and introducing a grading system for parking fees and spaces.
Its insane the amount of metal being used to carry people around the metropolitan area. Their choices shouldnt impact on everyone else and the rest of the community shouldnt have to subsidise bigger carparks, Ms MacTiernan said.
We are looking at positively rewarding people who are driving smaller cars.
She said smaller car bays may be introduced closer to major infrastructure such as railway stations so commuters had a shorter distance to walk, with bigger bays for 4WDs placed further out. I want to initiate a study on this as I have been thinking about this issue for some time, she said.
Road Safety Council chairman Grant Dorrington said if the vehicle met the Department for Planning and Infrastructures size classification standards then the council had no objection to Holdens plan to import the 4WDs. Our main concern isnt the vehicle, our main concern is who is hanging on to the steering wheel, he said. You could drive a tank along a road and you wouldnt kill anyone if you had the right attitude. Its not the vehicles, its the drivers.
MEGAN SADLER