Shoppers shun paid parks at Glenelg, driving $260,000 drop in parking revenue

VISITORS to the Bay are opting to walk a little further for free parking at Glenelg, costing the local council $260k in lost revenue. Here’s where to park for free.

BAY traders and shoppers say visitors to Glenelg are becoming more parking-savvy to avoid high-priced ticket machines, prompting a $260,000 drop in Holdfast Bay’s parking revenue.

We’ve listed our top five free parking spots below.

Jetty Rd traders and the council said the lower-than-expected ticket machine revenue last financial year did not mean fewer visitors to the district.

Caruso’s Fresh Foods owner Rocco Caruso said business was still “going strong” and parking prices did not need a widespread review, however, he wanted cheaper parking during winter.

“I’ve always said car parks in Colley Tce should be a lot cheaper during winter or free for the first hour,” Mr Caruso said.

MORE: Traders call for free parking in Glenelg during cinema construction

Developer Andrew Taplin said a drop in revenue was “not a bad thing”, suggesting visitors were finding cheaper parks further away from the main street.

Mr Taplin expected parking income would bounce back with the opening of new developments, such as his proposed cinema off Jetty Rd.

Jetty Rd Mainstreet Committee chairman Mark Faulkner said visitors were willing to find cheaper parking away from the shopping strip and walk, or they were coming to Glenelg on the tram.

He said the Bay’s most expensive off-street parking, such as Colley Tce which cost $4 per hour, was not too high.

“I don’t think there are any problems with the price of parking, if you want to park right near Moseley Square or the beach, you should pay more,” Mr Faulkner said.

The council recouped $986,308 in ticket parking revenue in 2013/14, after forecasting $1.25 million.

It follows a $200,000 shortfall in parking revenue the previous year, which was blamed on poor trading conditions.

Holdfast Bay chief executive Justin Lynch said the council did not view paid parking as a revenue-raiser.

“It’s never been about taking easy money from the people who live and work in our council area,” Mr Lynch said.

“Taking everything into account, we’ve taken a more conservative approach to anticipated parking revenue in this year’s budget estimates.”

The council has budgeted for $990,000 in ticket machine revenue in 2014/15.

Glenelg shopper Wayne Guiney believed parking was expensive, prompting visitors to search for free parks.

“If they just want to go into one shop they might feel like they’re losing money if they pay for parks — they’re not cheap,” Mr Guiney said.

Other shoppers agreed they had no problems finding free or cheap parking in the Bay.

Sabina Fauser, of O’Halloran Hill, said she always found a free park.

“We park somewhere and walk in but it’s not like we have to walk miles,” Mrs Fauser said.

Our top five parking spots at the Bay

1. Untimed parks along St John’s Row

2. Anzac Hwy median strip parking — 3 hours free

3. Bayside Village parking for shoppers — 3 hours free

4. Partridge St carpark — 2 hours free

5. Jackpot spots on Jetty Rd — 1 hour free, if you can get it!

TELL US: What are your top tips for saving on parking at the Bay? Comment below.