Staff call for Castle Towers to provide free staff parking

CALLS for Castle Towers management to provide free staff parking for businesses across the centre have been amplified by the Hills Shire Council.

Residents and staff are calling for Castle Towers to provide free staff parking. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

CALLS for Castle Towers management to provide free staff parking for businesses across the centre have been amplified by the Hills Shire Council.

Councillors voted to write to QIC to address the issue of staff parking in surrounding streets after paid parking systems were installed at Castle Towers several months ago.

CUSTOMERS BOYCOTTING CASTLE TOWERS OVER PAID PARKING

Employees reached out to the Hills Shire Times to raise their concerns around the current parking system, which forces staff to pay “unreasonable amounts for insufficient parking”.

One retail employee said staff are forced to pay $7 each day to park in an outdoor carpark that provides no cover for cars.

Castle Towers Staff car park in Castle Hill. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

“Most staff park on surrounding streets which upsets neighbours, I’m sure,” the staff member said. “Residential streets are packed with cars, which are all staff who end up parking there to avoid paying — if we already have to park outside, might as well not pay the $7 for staff parking.”

The employee said staff from major retail chains are given priority and able to park undercover — inside the centre.

Hills councillor Robyn Preston called for the council to raise the issue with Castle Towers.

“The council and our residents have bore the brunt of QIC’s financial decision and lack of corporate citizenship in looking after their staff,” Cr Preston said.

“Employees cannot afford to pay for the paid parking, so residents have been forced to take on a whole new level of congestion on their streets.

“School children, buses and families are being impacted on a daily basis by the decision of QIC — this is about resident and employee welfare.”

Staff are forced to pay $7 a day for outdoor parking. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

Councillor Elizabeth Russo said bus zones between Grand Way and 72 Castle St would be extended.

Councillors considered installing ‘No stopping’ restriction on both sides of Castle St to prevent parking congestion in residential streets.

Castle Towers retail manager Eddie Paynter said the centre provided dedicated space for staff parking.

“Our on-site parking team have the flexibility to manage the amount of space made available for staff parking dependant on demand,” he said.

Parking at Castle Towers. (AAP Image/CRAIG WILSON)

“For staff who choose to park at Castle Towers, discounted parking is available at a rate commensurate to other shopping centres across Sydney.

“The centre is also a hub for public transport, with a wide range of bus services available in the area as well as a new metro station currently under construction.”