Townsville business leaders celebrate decision to halt paid parking expansion

Business leaders have welcomed the council’s decision to halt its paid parking expansion, after councillors failed to consult with the community. See what they said.

Business leaders Craig Stack and Heidi Turner have welcomed Townsville City Council's decision to halt its paid parking expansion. Picture: Supplied.

Acknowledging their failure to consult with the community about the expansion of paid parking, Townsville city councillors have unanimously voted to halt its introduction, in a move welcomed by business leaders.

On Wednesday morning’s special meeting of Townsville City Council, Division 10 Councillor Brady Ellis’ garnered majority support for his motion that the paid parking expansion in North Ward, South Townsville and Pimlico precincts be halted effective immediately, until “sufficient evidence” was provided that there was a need and or want from the community for it to proceed.

Knight Frank Townsville senior partner Craig Stack helped build momentum for a parking rethink by organising a private meeting at a Gregory St cafe in September, where councillors heard directly from “very concerned” Townsville business people and tenants.

“We’re very pleased for our owners and the business operators and the properties we manage around that North Ward precinct,” Mr Stack said.

Knight Frank Townsville senior partner Craig Stack has criticised Townsville City Council's plan to expand paid parking. Picture: Supplied.

“It was also really pleasing to hear the councillors indicate that they … had listened, and that consultation, (which) would have been better to happen early, they all acknowledge that it’s something that they’ll engage on these types of issues in the future.

“In this case, the councillors probably didn’t quite understand the passion in the community about the issue, so while it needn’t have (happened), it has, and the reaction by the councillors has been very good over the last three or four weeks. They’ve been listening, and as ratepayer, I certainly can’t ask for more than that.”

Multiple businesses have blasted the lack of consultation around the paid parking expansion in South Townsville. Pictures: Supplied.

A vocal critic of the council’s paid parking expansion and its doubling of parking fees in the CBD, Townsville Chamber of Commerce chief executive Heidi Turner welcomed the halt to expanded paid parking.

“We’re very pleased that the council’s listened to the wishes of the community on this issue, and it’s committed to working more collaboratively and consultatively in the future. I think it’s a lesson they’ve learned from this experience,” Mrs Turner said.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce chief executive Heidi Turner has welcomed the council’s rethink on paid parking.

“It’s been an honour to advocate on behalf of our members and the wider community on this issue.

“We were interested to hear Councillor Andrew Robinson’s research and comments on paid parking in key precincts.”

She encouraged the council to look at the issue on a case-by-case basis for each area, with consideration given to the combination of parking studies and consultation feedback.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the council and other key stakeholders to address concerns around the state of the CBD and its importance as the heart of our city,” she said.

Map of the planned paid parking expansion at Gregory St and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

Map of the planned paid parking expansion at The Strand and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

Map of the planned paid parking expansion at Mater Private Hospital and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

Originally published as Townsville business leaders celebrate decision to halt paid parking expansion