Backlash over paid parking plan on Sundays in Melbourne CBD

A former Victorian premier fears a move to slug motorists for Sunday parking will be “just another nail in the coffin” for the city.

The paid Sunday parking plan has sparked anger. Picture: Jason Edwards

A City of Melbourne plan to slug motorists for Sunday parking has been slammed as “unreasonable” while senior councillors rack up tens of thousands of dollars in local travel expenses.

The parking overhaul would see motorists charged $4 per hour for Sunday and after hours parking while all meter parking in the CBD will be restricted to two hours.

On-street parking is currently free on Sundays and after 8.30pm.

Councillors are expected to endorse the parking and kerbside management plan at a meeting on Tuesday.

People will be charged $4 per hour to park on Sundays. Picture: Josie Hayden

Former premier Jeff Kennett said the council had already turned the city into “a no-go zone” with the rollout of super tram stops and protected bike lanes, and introducing paid Sunday parking would be “just another nail in the coffin”.

“People are not (in the city) on Friday, they’re not there on Monday – if they have a reason to visit they’re in on the weekend, but the council’s about to make that even more difficult and costly than ever before,” Mr Kennett said.

“Council has lost touch with its fundamental purpose for being, and that is a great pity because it is a wonderful city.”

Mr Kennett said the council should be transparent with traders if its goal was to make the city a car-free zone.

Former Premier Jeff Kennett is critical of the council’s parking move.

“If they’re trying to do that they ought to say that publicly and allow shopkeepers and others who pay high rents – and rely on visitors to the city to pay for their rent and to make a profit – to give them a say,” he said.

“All (the council) has done in recent times is make the city less attractive, less vibrant, and less affordable.”

The City of Melbourne received feedback from 439 “individuals and organisations” before releasing its draft parking management plan.

The council also engaged in briefing sessions with “key stakeholder groups” including the Motorcycles Consultative Forum, Disability Advisory Committee, Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria Walks, Bus Association Victoria, RACV and Parking Australia.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said he was not engaged in the council’s consultation process, adding it was unclear how many of those surveyed were from the business community.

“Since this plan was floated, the chamber has sought and received feedback from our members and every business representative we’ve spoken to opposes this plan,” Mr Guerra said.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra.

“As CBD businesses continue to recover, and with winter and the unpleasant weather well and truly upon us, this is the wrong time to be introducing a new charge for consumers to visit the city.”

Mr Guerra said it was “unreasonable” to expect people to pay for something that was previously free.

“If this plan is implemented, we will see people avoiding the city in favour of their local shopping strip or major centres where they don’t have to pay for parking or worry about being booked,” Mr Guerra said.

“Our weekend economy is going well compared with weekdays, and there is no doubt that this is partly to do with the current free parking on Sundays which makes the city an accessible and attractive option.”

While motorists are set to be slugged for Sunday parking, city councillors will continue to enjoy transport perks.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who is paid $248,941, claimed an extra $45,557 in local travel expenses from January 2021 to March 2023, according to council reports.

Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, who gets $124,470, racked up an extra $42,481 for travel expenses over the same time period.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp claimed $45,557 in travel expenses. Picture: David Caird

According to the council’s local travel policy, councillors are reimbursed for any transport costs incurred while attending meetings, functions or other commitments.

This includes the cost of hire cars or reimbursement for a private vehicle, carparking fees and access to parking permits while conducting council business.

Councillors are also provided with free parking at Council House 2 in Little Collins St when attending business matters.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said council staff were required to pay for parking “just like all Melburnians coming into the city”.

The council raked in $38.9m in parking fees last financial year, but street parking revenue was down $1.4m between October and December.

The City of Melbourne received feedback from 439 ‘individuals and organisations’ before releasing its draft parking management plan. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Capp said the council had undergone extensive consultation with traders before proposing the parking changes, adding many were “supportive of this plan”.

“Paid parking is shown to improve the turnover of customers using those spots – that’s data and evidence driven – and that means that there are more customers coming in and using those spots on Sundays to benefit our traders,” Ms Capp said on Friday.

“I really think, based on the feedback we’ve had to date, that people understand that we’ve really reached and struck a good balance with that plan.”

Sunday motorists can pay just $7 for all day parking at First Parking on Little Collins St, while flat rate weekend parking at Wilson starts from $10, depending on the location.

‘Pandering to woke green fantasies’

Melbourne traders fear a council plan to enforce paid parking on Sundays will drive away visitors and “destroy” the city.

Long-time Queen Victoria Market fruit and vegetable trader Rosa Ansaldo has called on Lord Mayor Sally Capp to “change her mind” about the proposed parking charges.

“If she wants to bring people to the city, that’s the wrong way of doing it. There’s no incentive for people to come to the city on a Sunday when it’s not free,” Ms Ansaldo said.

“She’s destroying the city.”

Rosa Ansaldo who runs Rospaul Fresh Fruit at Queen Victoria Market is furious about the council's plan to introduce paid Sunday parking. Picture: Tony Gough

There is currently free two hour Sunday parking near the market including at Therry and Franklin Streets, but Ms Ansaldo said removing this would force visitors into commercial car parks or deter them from visiting altogether.

“It’s obviously revenue rising – that’s all it is – because it’s not going to bring people to the city,” she said.

“I just think (Ms Capp) needs to clean up the city and make it as accessible as possible to get people back because we’re all dying in the city – no retailer is doing well.”

Veteran CBD jeweller David Benjamin said the Sunday parking changes would lead to fewer cars coming into the city and hurt traders.

“It’s already very expensive to park in the city and it’s getting worse,” he said.

“The council is penalising certain types of people, it wants everyone to come in on public transport or to cycle or walk in.

“It seems to be pandering to woke green fantasies.”

Mr Benjamin said that e-scooters were causing mayhem in the CBD, so if the council wanted more revenue it should crack down on illegal riding.

Owner of The George on Collins restaurant Greg Kahan said charging patrons for Sunday parking was a “ridiculous” move that would only create more business for rideshare companies like Uber.

“We’re supposed to be trying to get people back – Melbourne has been the hardest hit city, probably in the world. It doesn’t make any sense to me,” he said.

Originally published as Backlash over paid parking plan on Sundays in Melbourne CBD