Parking pain: Council fees at two Brisbane facilities in huge jump

Fees at Brisbane City Council’s two CBD carparks have been quietly, massively increased in the wake of an austere 2024/25 Budget. SEE THE NEW CHARGES

Fees at Brisbane City Council’s two CBD carparks have been quietly, massively increased in the wake of an austere 2024/25 Budget.

Charges at BCC’s Wickham Terrace and King George Square carparks have jumped about 25-35 per cent, depending on the length of stay.

But in some good news, the maximum daily rate at Wickham Terrace has actually dropped by $6 to $55 since the new fees came into effect on July 1.

The evening flat rate for four or more hours was now a bargain at only $6, a drop of $9.

“Evening’’ was now defined as 4pm or later, half an hour earlier than last year.

The weekend flat rate had also not been increased despite surging inflation and cost pressures on Council, while the evening flat rate at King George Square also had not changed.

Council has increased rates at its Wickham Terrace carpark.

Most users of the two carparks were CBD office workers who took advantage of early bird rates.

They faced a big jump from $20 to $26 at Wickham Terrace and a jump from $24 to $28 at King George Square.

A Council spokeswoman said its rates were adjusted based on supply and demand and pointed out that the 15-minute free parking offer remained.

“At Wickham Terrace there has been no increase, and in some cases reduced fees, for people parking on the evenings, weekends or at the maximum daily rates,’’ she said.

“There are also more than 8000 on-street metered car parking spaces available across Brisbane.’’

Total fees and charges in this year’s Budget rose by 3.8 per cent, just under the current inflation rate.

Wickham Terrace parker Megsie said she was disgusted by the increase.

Council has increased rates at its King George Square carpark.

“How can they (Council) possibly justify a 30 per cent increase in parking fees for your Wickham Terrace carpark? This is abhorrent,’’ she said.

“Brisbane City Council are extorting people whose only method to get to work is by car.

“From $20 to $26 is disgusting (for early bird rates). They should be ashamed of taking advantage of people who are suffering as it is with the cost-of-living increases.

“Increasing the price this much isn’t keeping up with cost pressures, this is greed.’’

Despite the large July 1 price hikes fees, Council’s carparking fees compared favourably with many privately-operated facilities.

Early bird parking at Central Plaza 1, for instance, started at $35, while 480 Queen St early bird rates were a minimum of $39 and at 179 Turbot St rates began at $37.

Early bird rates were almost the same as Council’s at 167 Eagle St, the Wintergarden and Post Office Square.