Free parking to be extended to side streets
FREE evening parking could be extended to side streets to help revitalise key restaurant and shopping strips.
Inner West
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FREE evening parking could be extended to side streets to help revitalise key restaurant and shopping strips.
In April parking meters were switched off at 7pm in Norton St, Leichhardt and Darling St in Balmain and Rozelle.
Local businesses say the move helped reinvigorate the area and have backed a proposal to extend free evening parking to about three dozen side streets like Jacques Street in Balmain, Wetherill Street in Leichhardt and Carlisle Street in Leichhardt.
The move would cost $488,000 a year in lost meter and fine revenue in addition to the $255,000 already lost from switching off main street meters.
Community consultation found 61 per cent of respondents were supportive with most of the objections coming from local residents concerned local streets would become swamped with outsiders.
Staff from Inner West Council, which is due to debate the proposals at its September 11 meeting, have recommended two hour time limits between 7pm and 10pm in front of residential properties to appease locals.
Bar Italia owner Con Damouras said the free parking had brought new customers into the area and he also supported a proposal to extend 30 minute free parking to side streets, which staff have recommended against.
He said some customers had been booked thinking free evening parking had already been extended to side streets.
Leichhardt Business Chamber president and Royal Hotel licensee Mark Chapman supported the proposals but said there needed to be “a bit of give and take” between businesses and local residents.
“We’re all part of the same neighbourhood so we need to make sure it works for everyone,” Mr Chapman said.
“(Switching off meters) has put out a positive message locally but also to surrounding suburbs as a reminder that we’re still here.
“It’s been a good initiative to incentivise people back to Norton Street.”
Mayor Darcy Byrne said free parking was never going to be a “silver bullet” but he had received positive feedback.
“I don’t think it has immediately resulted in the revival of the night-time economy but it has given a practical incentive for people to go out and frequent our dining precincts,” he said.
“We are going to have to strike a balance; I think the concerns of residents living in the side streets, that they don’t want to see the parking outside their homes inundated … are legitimate.”