Off-street parking an extra cost for drivers Daily Mercury - Mackay, Queensland, Australia
30.06.2007
WHILE many new laws will take hold across Queensland tomorrow, a big reform for Mackay residents will be off-street parking fees. In July, Mackay City Council will reintroduce paid parking in public off-street car parks in the CBD. "There will be a fee to park in the car parks at Gregory/Gordon Street, Gregory/River Street, Wood/Gordon Street and Brisbane/River Street. "Income generated from the (fees) is likely to be sufficient to fund the proposed new multi-storey facility on the Gordon/Gregory streets site," Mayor Julie Boyd said. Charges for the off-street parks will be set at 70 cents an hour and $5 a day.
Many CBD workers welcomed the fees, saying they were fed-up with receiving parking fines which were more expensive than $5 a day parking. Although a recent survey by the Chamber of Commerce highlighted a willingness by motorists to pay for the parks, Deanna Tucker opposed the fees. "I have to park here all day, five days a week for work and I'm not happy about paying $25 a week I won't get a $25 pay rise," she said. "We are supporting the City Heart as it is, so why do we need to pay an extra $25 per week? I doubt (fees) will fix the problem it will mean more (congestion) on the streets where there is free parking. I really hope the revenue does go towards a multi-storey car park because the main issue is that there arent enough parks in the first place." Other law changes set to take hold on July 1 will also mean residents will be able to choose between energy retailers, it will be harder for young people to obtain a drivers licence, new homes must be built with rainwater tanks or other water-saving options and smoke alarms will be compulsory in all homes.