Huge backlash to Tea Tree Plaza plans to enforce ticketless paid parking in its car parks

Plans by Tea Tree Plaza to enforce ticketless paid parking have sparked a huge backlash, with Labor also vowing to fight the “cruel money grab”. Join the debate.

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

Plans by Tea Tree Plaza shopping centre to enforce ticketless paid parking have sparked an outcry.

More than 1500 people have so far voted in our poll (below). Of those, 80pc said parking should remain free at Westfield’s major shopping complex in Modbury, while just 20pc supported the plan, saying non-customers who parked there all day needed to be stopped.

Dozens of readers have also voiced their concerns in the comments box below, saying the plan was “greedy” and it would just drive people into nearby streets.

David wrote: “Greed. That’s all it is. They don’t have enough parking there already for shops and the O-Bahn, so instead of improvements with more infrastructure they now slog the users. People will now park on the streets nearby or go elsewhere. What a stupid idea at a time when retail needs all the help they can get.”

Samantha posted: “Another shopping centre to avoid then, just like West Lakes. It’s been a positive for the smaller local independent supermarkets, I have never seen the car parks so full. Good move Westfield, especially in the current climate, push more people towards online shopping. Cheeky greedy cash grab.”

But some supported to plan, with reader Andrea saying: “It would work well if the ticket you take on entry gives you 2 hours free parking. It would stop the freeloaders using TTP for all day parking.”

Terry posted: “Works well at West Lakes. Always easy to find a park and it is two hours free parking. I believe this was implemented to control footy park parking during shopping periods clashing with footy matches. TTP suffers, I believe, similar problems where bus travellers to the city use it as all day parking to the detriment of locals. Don’t complain of paying for parking as there will always be a substantial period of time free anyway. I also believe picture goers can arrange extended free parking.”

YOUR SAY: Vote in our poll or add your comments below

Labor is also vowing to fight the proposal. “It’s unfair that people will be slugged for simply going down to the shops. This is a cruel money grab that will hurt local families & workers,” SA Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas tweeted.

Labor will fight this plan to introduce paid parking at Tea Tree Plaza Shopping Centre.

It's unfair that people will be slugged for simply going down to the shops. This is a cruel money grab that will hurt local families & workers.

Sign our petition: https://t.co/1TnFJP2nUo https://t.co/LzT4L0EQs7

— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) February 4, 2021

The State Government’s planning panel is currently assessing the proposal to install ticketless parking infrastructure, including boom gates.

Parking at the centre is currently free, although there are time limits in place.

Tea Tree Gully Council fines commuters on behalf of Westfield, with a particular focus on those who park at the plaza all day and travel into the city via the O-Bahn.

Tea Tree Plaza will enforce ticketless paid parking if its new plans are approved by the State Government. Picture: File

It issued 10,056 parking fines at the plaza and streets within a 500m radius of the interchange between January, 2018 and March, 2019.

In an internal email to Tea Tree Gully Council elected members, Westfield is expected to provide customers and visitors free parking for a certain time period if the plans are approved.

It is also proposing to allocate parking for staff members at a discounted rate.

“Westfield could not say what that would be as decisions had not been made to that extent at this stage,” according to the email.

However, Tea Tree Gully Cr Lucas Jones was concerned introducing paid parking would cause residents to clog up nearby residential streets even further.

Parking is already at a premium in the area with the State Government delaying plans to build a second Park ‘n’ Ride in the area, instead focusing on a new one in Golden Grove.

“Installing boom gates and charging both residents and retail workers to use car parks is completely out of touch and simply not good enough,” Cr Jones said.

“I’ll be asking the council to formally write to Westfield to ask them to reconsider this proposal.

“Why should residents be charged for doing their shopping?”

Tea Tree Gully Cr Lucas Jones fears paid parking at Tea Tree Plaza will clog nearby suburban streets even more. Picture: Sam Wundke

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association spokesman Josh Peak said it was a “blatant cash grab at a time when everyone can least afford it”.

“The introduction of paid parking at other shopping centres in Adelaide has been a failure for workers, shoppers and the local community and TTP will be no different,” Mr Peake said.

“The SDA will be vigorously fighting any introduction of paid parking for retail workers at Westfield TTP.”

A Tea Tree Plaza spokeswoman said it was looking to “enhance the parking experience” at the centre.

“Our plans to introduce a new parking management system would also ensure a free parking period remains accessible,” the spokeswoman said.