Last week, Brisbane’s Westfield Chermside shopping
centre announced plans to introduce paid parking. The shopping centre,
previously providing free, unlimited parking, will now introduce paid parking
for parking durations of over three hours, in a bid to stop commuters taking up
spaces meant for shoppers. According to
the Courier Mail, this will be the first major Brisbane shopping centre to introduce
paid parking.
centre announced plans to introduce paid parking. The shopping centre,
previously providing free, unlimited parking, will now introduce paid parking
for parking durations of over three hours, in a bid to stop commuters taking up
spaces meant for shoppers. According to
the Courier Mail, this will be the first major Brisbane shopping centre to introduce
paid parking.
Westfield’s research indicates that about 25 per cent
of the parking spaces are being taken up by non-shoppers, and that 93 per cent
of its customers stay for less than
three hours. The nearby Chermside bus interchange caters for 5,000 commuters
every day.
of the parking spaces are being taken up by non-shoppers, and that 93 per cent
of its customers stay for less than
three hours. The nearby Chermside bus interchange caters for 5,000 commuters
every day.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk suggested that the State
Government has contributed to Westfield’s problem by not providing adequate
park-n-ride facilities for the existing bus interchange. He also claims that no
car parks are planned in conjunction with a future bus station to be built in
Chermside.
Government has contributed to Westfield’s problem by not providing adequate
park-n-ride facilities for the existing bus interchange. He also claims that no
car parks are planned in conjunction with a future bus station to be built in
Chermside.
Westfield Chermside will also launch a parking
guidance system, along with a valet parking service in October. Registered
disabled parking permit holders will not be required to pay for parking.
guidance system, along with a valet parking service in October. Registered
disabled parking permit holders will not be required to pay for parking.
According to the Brisbane Times, Brisbane City Council
is investigating its legal options, as Council rejected a 2009 application by Westfield
to introduce the paid parking. The council is seeking legal advice to determine
whether Westfield needs to make a new development application.
is investigating its legal options, as Council rejected a 2009 application by Westfield
to introduce the paid parking. The council is seeking legal advice to determine
whether Westfield needs to make a new development application.
Following Westfield’s decision to introduce paid parking
in Chermside, it will be interesting to see whether other Brisbane shopping
centres follow suit!
in Chermside, it will be interesting to see whether other Brisbane shopping
centres follow suit!