Paid parking coming in around Henley Square, angering residents and traders
PAID parking comes in at one of Adelaide’s busiest seaside spots on Monday, angering residents and traders who say it will drive business away from area.
PAID parking around popular Henley Square restaurants and cafes is angering residents and traders who say it will drive business away from the seaside strip.
Charles Sturt Council will activate parking meters on Monday across spaces next to Joe’s Kiosk along the Esplanade and next to the old Evida restaurant north of Henley Square.
The move has been met with anger from residents and traders, who say it will scare off business.
The council said the three ticketing machines cost $30,000 to install. Motorists would be charged $2 an hour for a maximum of three hours.
Cibo Henley Beach owner Maurice Dichiera collected about 100 signatures on a petition against the paid parking, for presentation to the council.
The cafe’s manager, Sophie Panpena, said the measure would “hurt businesses”.
“People don’t want to pay for parking because they have never had to pay,” Ms Panpena said.
An online petition has hit 600 signatures.
Clarence Gardens resident Rod Horner, 75, said he visits Joe’s Kiosk most days on 40 weeks of the year since 2008, spending about $5600 on coffees and food.
Paid parking would drive regulars like him away from the cafe, as well as people who wanted to use the beach.
He was angry it had been rolled out through “stealth”.
“Our Australian beaches must be free,” Mr Horner said.
“I don’t know what the council is thinking because they are double-banging the local ratepayer – “I don’t want to live on the Gold Coast.”
Resident Vicky Gritzalis said the paid parking was “a mess”.
“It should be four hours – three hours is not enough,” Ms Gritzalis said.
Retirees Graham Brown, Henry Peterson, Rick Morris and Grantly Payze have been going to Joe’s Kiosk for 12 years.
“What will happen is if they can’t get a park up that way – which will happen during summer – they won’t go to Cibo or the surf life saving club,” Mr Brown said.
“I eat at the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving Club but I won’t be if I have to pay.”
Mr Morris said the parking should be free for a period of time.
“We’re all going to be in hospital with depression because we can’t meet and have our coffee,” Mr Morris said.
Mr Payze agreed: “It’s a huge disincentive for people wanting a casual coffee – daily coffee – or a lunch”.
Charles Sturt councillor Jassmine Wood said paid parking would create a revenue stream.
“However, in my opinion sometimes providing a community service is far more important than making money,” Cr Wood said.
Acting chief executive Darren Birbeck said paid parking was introduced to encourage people to visit the square.
“The time limit is two hours, so (the) council has increased the carpark limits to three hours to ensure visitors have enough time to dine, spend time at the beach and enjoy the square.”
He said that by imposing payment, the council now expected “an increased turnover of carparking – which will ensure more people can visit.”