Tea Tree Plaza could lose 220 spaces if $11m paid parking plan is approved, council email shows

The controversial Tea Tree Plaza paid parking plan has taken another turn, with an internal council email revealing about 220 spaces could be removed.

Tea Tree Gully Council currently fines those that park all day at Tea Tree Plaza and catch the O-Bahn into the city. Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke

Tea Tree Plaza could lose around 220 parking spaces if a controversial new plan is approved, an internal council email has revealed.

Westfield has applied to the State Government’s assessment panel to install paid parking infrastructure at the centre with boom gates in a move which has provoked anger from both centre workers and customers.

The centre’s approximate 4100 spaces are anticipated to be reduced by 220 under a $11 million Westfield plan, according to the email.

If approved, Westfield would install bollards, pay stations, fencing and licence plate recognition cameras and remove some trees and landscaping at the centre, according to its “preliminary” plans.

“The vehicle is recognised by number plate and either the boom gate will lift automatically if the vehicle exits within the grace period or an amount to pay will display for payment at the pay station located at the vehicle exit point,” according to the email.

Tea Tree Gully Council currently fines drivers who park all day at Tea Tree Plaza.

“In addition, an automatic payment system will be available whereby drivers elect to have an account from which payments for parking are automatically deducted.

“This arrangement has been used successfully interstate at similar Westfield shopping centres.”

Access points are also planned to be altered while the redevelopment of pedestrian crossings and safety infrastructure will provide “enhanced pedestrian amenity and safety linkages”, the email reads.

However, it is unclear where exactly parking bays will be lost.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Lucas Jones will introduce a motion at a meeting on February 23, calling on the council to formally object to Westfield’s plans.

He said retail workers, and residents who spend long periods at the centre, would be heavily impacted by the paid parking plan.

Tea Tree Gully Cr Lucas Jones will call on the council to ask Westfield to abandon its paid parking plan for Tea Tree Plaza. Picture: AAP/Sam Wundke.

“It is not uncommon for many residents in our city to attend the newly developed food area and have dinner at this location followed by going to the movies, which would significantly put them over a potential three hour free parking period,” Cr Jones said in his motion.

He was also concerned residents would park in residential streets in the Modbury area to avoid paying.

“Given that this application is a Category One notification, residents will not be notified about the development and will not be provided with the option to have their say,” he said.

The Messenger has asked Westfield to provide clarity on the potential loss of carparking spaces.

It has previously said it wanted to “enhance the parking experience” at the centre and it would still provide free parking for a period of time.