Fury as Westfield shopping centre changes free parking
One of Brisbane’s biggest shopping centres has sparked outrage after slashing free parking for customers who don’t download a new app.
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Westfield Chermside has sparked a furore after suddenly cutting free parking hours and raising charges for customers who don’t download a new phone app.
An e-petition set up on Monday night by local MP, Anika Wells, has already attracted more than 1000 signatures from angry shoppers.
Those who download the app enjoy four hours of free parking.
Those who do not have had the previous three-hour limit cut to two hours.
However, many customers welcomed the extra hour of free parking given to those who download the app.
Scentre Group, which owns Westfield shopping centres, said it resumed “controlled’’ parking after COVID-19 restrictions eased to “ensure customers could access parking as quickly and easily as possible when visiting us’’.
It also said there was free parking after 5.30pm and that 90 per cent of its customers parked for free, as they completed their visit in under two hours.
People with mobility issues could ask for help at the concierge desk if they did not have a smart phone, Scentre Group regional centre experience manager Richard Heinz said.
Ms Wells said it was unfortunate the shopping centre had not only reintroduced paid parking during a global pandemic, it was effectively forcing people to download their app.
She said that raised privacy concerns.
But Mr Heinz said the app was not used to track customers around the centre and information was not collected if it was running in the background, or not being used.
Ms Wells, the MP for the federal seat of Lilley, called on Westfield to reinstate three-hour free parking and to consult more widely with the community before making changes to paid parking.
Her petition post has reached more than 33,000 Brisbane locals and prompted nearly 200 shares and comments. it has had over 7000 engagements.
“I’ve had people contact my office to say they’ve been stung by this change in recent weeks, because there was no community consultation prior to the changes going ahead,” Ms Wells said.
“The changes particularly impact parents with young children, seniors and people with a disability who may need more time to complete their shopping.
“We are calling on Westfield to reinstate three hours of free parking for all shoppers so that the most vulnerable in our community aren’t disadvantaged.
“I will also be meeting with Westfield Chermside management in the coming weeks to urge them to reconsider these parking changes.’’
Chermside ticketless paid parking system gets green light
Mr Heinz said the Westfield Plus app offered a range of member-only benefits.
“Westfield Plus, a new membership program offering member-only benefits including extended free parking for up to four hours and free parking after 5.30pm,’’ he said.
“Non-members will receive two hours free parking. The majority of our customers will continue to park free of charge, with 90 per cent of customers completing their visit within the standard two hour free parking period.
“Free parking is still available for mobility parkers at Westfield Chermside with a valid permit.
“To receive free mobility parking, customers can join the Westfield Plus app and visit our concierge desk to link their permit to their account which will remain for every visit until their permit expires.
“If mobility parkers do not wish to download the app, free mobility parking can be validated at a concierge desk by one of our team members.
“For customers who don’t have access to a smart phone or compatible device, they can also visit the Concierge desk and talk to our team for assistance.’’
Mr Heinz said Westfield Plus used geolocation information to deliver member benefits, for example displaying the centre nearest to the customer.
It also allowed customers to check their parking time and set a reminder when they visited a Westfield centre.
“Location awareness information is not used to track an app user moving around our centre,’’ he said.
“When the app is running in the background, or is not being used, we do not collect this information.
“All personal information is treated in accordance with the Westfield Plus Privacy Statement and the Scentre Group Privacy Policy.’’
Westfield Plus is currently rolling out at selected Westfield Living Centres nationally.
Ms Wells implored the centre to be “more community minded in their operations and interactions with their neighbours.”
She was particularly concerned about the impact on retirees.
“Many seniors don’t have smart phones, so downloading an app really isn’t an option for them,” she said.
“In the fine print, it also states that your data can be used for marketing purposes, and to track the time and length of your shopping trips.”
Ms Wells said the timing of Westfield’s increased parking charges was particularly disappointing, with many local residents experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
“Now is not the time to be increasing the costs of daily living, when so many residents are doing it tough due to COVID,” she said.
“Nearly 5000 business and almost 19,000 residents in Lilley have applied for JobKeeper assistance, so it’s very disappointing that Westfield has chosen this time to increase parking
charges.’’
Shoppers vented their fury on Facebook, with many saying they were unaware of the changes until very recently.
“We have to stand up and be heard, this is not on. Only greed,’’ Murray Glubb posted.
“The owners of these shops are paying huge rents. This should cover shopping centre parking.’’
Steve Bedford posted: “This is to be expected with corporate shopping centres; greed is their normal mode of operation.
“I’ll write to tell them that unless they reverse the decision, I won’t be shopping there.’’
Other shoppers welcomed the app and the changes to free parking.
“But they now give you 4hrs - what’s the issue?’’ Kerry Collins posted.
Lisa Gordon posted: “I am there all the time for the gym. I was not happy at first but downloaded the app and have had no issues.’’