Motorists with long-term parking spaces in central Melbourne may soon have to pay a new tax for the privilege. The Bracks Government is open to the idea of a parking tax to encourage public transport use and reduce road congestion.
Parking may face tax grab - The Age
London
April 21, 2005
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Parking-may-face-tax-grab/2005/04/20/1113854259732.html
Motorists with long-term parking spaces in central Melbourne may soon have to pay a new tax for the privilege.
The Bracks Government is open to the idea of a parking tax to encourage public transport use and reduce road congestion.
But any tax would not hit motorists who visit the city occasionally to shop or to go to restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
Premier Steve Bracks was impressed during a visit to London this week by the success there of a congestion charge.
Cars driven into central London in daylight hours are hit with a ££5 ($A12.40) fee. The tax has resulted in increased patronage of buses, less road congestion and a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Bracks said the Government was not considering a "blanket" congestion charge on all vehicles heading for central Melbourne but he left open the possibility of a targeted parking tax, imposed by the state or Melbourne City Council.
"If we were to consider anything we certainly would not look at anything that had an impact on retail, on business, on the occasional users or those who simply want to drop in to the city for some shopping," he said.
He said the tax had been unpopular when introduced, but now had more than 70 per cent support in public opinion polls.