Uni pushes the maths on parking Author: By MELISSA LYONS Date: 12/08/2008 Publication: Newcastle Herald
UNIVERSITY of Newcastle students who fork out more than $120 a year for a parking permit say they are paying for spaces that don't exist.
Figures released to the university's student association by the campus's facilities management have revealed the number of permits sold to students in 2007 was four times the amount of car spaces available.
Newcastle University Student Association welfare officer Jonathan Moylan accused the university of over-selling permits to maintain revenue.
"Because they sell four times more permits than they have parking spaces available it guarantees them a fine revenue," Mr Moylan said.
Permits sold to staff also exceeded spaces available by more than 700.
Student and permit holder Beth Maloney described the situation as "abysmal", recalling times where she had circled the university car park for more than an hour before finding a free space.
"I've been late to class many times," she said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) Sue Gould said issuing parking permits was not a money-making exercise and permit numbers were based on demand.
"Students do not park on campus all day and there is significant turnover of car parking spaces," she said.
PARKING 2007
STUDENTS
Permits sold 8743
Spaces supplied 2186
STAFF
Permits sold 1923
Spaces supplied 1155
PARKING REVENUE
Staff $319,819.46
Students $627,408.82
Ticket
machines $380,123.10
Fines $149,899.97
TOTAL $1,477,251.35
Source: NUSA