Parking meter changes stir fair debate at uni Author: By COURTNEY TRENWITH Date: 11/01/2006 Publication: Illawarra Mercury
MAJOR changes to parking arrangements at the University of Wollongong are expected to make the system more equitable, but the students' association believes drivers will end up paying more.
From February 16, all parking bays at the university will work under a first-in first-served basis, charging students for the length of time they are parked.
The changes replace parking permits sold at the beginning of each year that allowed a limited number of students - believed to be about 4000 of its 20,000 students - to park on campus.
Those who missed out were forced to pay daily to park in the multistorey car park or on nearby streets, which angered residents.
Parking at the university has been a controversial issue for many years.
Students have complained of a lack of spaces and that some parking bays in the permit-only areas often were empty.
The university trialled the pay-and-display system in the western car park last year with much success.
It will now use the system across the campus, with rates between $2 for up to four hours and $6 a day, except at the western car park which will be half that price. Some reserved parking will remain for staff.
There will also be some one-hour-only bays in the ovals' car park.
Buildings and grounds manager Bruce Flint said the new arrangements would be more equitable.
"We're trying to open up the parking for more people," Mr Flint said.
"This allows in the quieter periods for our parking to be fully utilised and opens it up for more students to utilise the car parks."
He admitted the changes did not mean all students would find a parking space on campus.
Wollongong University Student Association president Jess Moore said students would end up paying more.
She said using the cheaper western car park three days a week at $3 a day would cost $117 each 13-week semester.
Last year's parking permits cost between $60 and $100 a semester.
"This system is still privileging people who have the money. We have a huge parking problem at the uni," Ms Moore said.
However, former WUSA president and student representative for the Keiraville Transport Working Group - which has been working to solve the parking issues - Ben Coughlin said the changes were positive.
"Students no longer have to go through the hassle of getting on the internet at a certain time and having all the passes taken," he said.
"I'm sure there will be some students disadvantaged by it but on the whole, for most of the students it would be cheaper because they're not there the whole day."