Mosman businesses speak out over at council’s parking meter fee hike

An “elitist” Sydney council has been accused of driving visitors away by jacking up beachside parking meter fees by up to 75 per cent. Find out how much you’ll pay to visit the city’s beaches.

A north shore council has been accused of driving visitors away by jacking up beachside parking meter fees by up to 75 per cent in a move described as elitist.

Mosman business owners have lashed out at a decision decision to increasing parking meter charges at six foreshore areas, in a move set to sting motorists with daily charges of up to $40.

The new fees were adopted this week.

Among the biggest increases coming into effect from July 1 will be at Balmoral Beach with maximum all day charges increasing 75 per cent from $20 to $35 in the May to September months and $35 to $40 in the peak October to April season.

Hourly rates will also jump from $9 to $10 during the peak season and $5 to $8 between May and September.

Parking at Clifton Gardens and Rosherville Reserve will have drivers forking out up to 75 per cent more with daily maximum charges rising from $25 to $40 from October to April and from $20 to $35 in May to September.

Pictured at Balmoral Beach in Sydney is Peter Papas who owns Kazzi Beach Greek opposite the beach. Picture: Richard Dobson

But Peter Papas, who owns Balmoral’s popular Kazzi Beach Greek restaurant, fears the price hike could leave cash conscious Sydneysiders thinking twice about visiting the suburb.

“I think the council’s pricing themselves out of the market and are basically saying to locals and visitors alike ‘don’t come to Mosman’,” he said.

“This is one of Australia’s most iconic beachside locations and this type of price gouging behaviour is an affront to businesses in the area and to locals – not everyone has resident permits

“By any measure it’s inequitable and elitist – we may as well put up a barricade at Spit Junction and declare ourselves a kingdom.

“Parking charges are supposed to provide a mechanism for a scarce resource to be protected for all to use. This is purely revenue raising.”

Increases will apply to areas including The Spit.

The changes in parking costs will also impact those stopping opposite the entrance of Taronga Zoo, with meter fees at Bradleys Head Rd to rise by 13 per cent to a maximum of $7.50 per hour and $22 a day.

Hourly meter charges at The Spit are also on the rise with new maximum all day charges of $22 on weekdays and $27 on weekends – up from $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.

Mosman Council said the pending increase was designed to match meter charges in other Sydney local government areas including on the northern beaches.

Visiting Balmoral is expected to cost motorists more.

The increase comes as financial reports show the council netted $1.57 million in revenue from foreshore parking meters last financial year – up from $1.36 million from the previous 12 months.

Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said the July 1 increase would be the first significant rise in the council’s meter fees since the 2013/14 financial year.

“We’ve been holding them very steady for a number of years but we looked at what other councils charge and we felt that it was a fair and reasonable increase,” she said.

“Councils, just like small businesses, were really affected by Covid and we didn't feel it was too great a hike.

“No one wants to pay for parking, but it’s a necessary evil.”

Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan.

A comparison of other council areas shows the fee hike would be on par with charges in the Northern Beaches Council region with pay and display fees set at $10 per hour at sites including Clontarf, Shelly Beach, Freshwater, Narrabeen and Palm Beach.

North Sydney Council has parking meters set at up to $8 per hour in high demand areas.

Waverley Council meanwhile charges hourly meter fees of between $5.40 and $9.30 at Bondi Beach, depending on the season, while fees are set at $6.50 per hour at Bronte Beach

In Coogee, paid parking costs visitors $4.10 per hour during the summer months, dropping to $2.70 in winter.

In western Sydney, Parramatta Council sets its hourly meter charges at up to $4.10 per hour within the city centre limits and $3.10 outside the CBD zone.

Back in Balmoral, resident Josh Gale was concerned a spike in fees could be a “poor look” for the suburb.

“It’s definitely frustrating. It’s a bit ridiculous that people are paying this much when they just want to come and enjoy the beach. We want to attract visitors and this is a major deterrent if they put the price up,” he said.

“If Balmoral parking is higher than other areas, I think that’s unfair. It’s seems ridiculous to raise them even more.”

Public Dining Room owner Mark McLoughlin.

Public Dining Room owner Mark McLoughlin said the increase could add another burden on visitors already feeling cost of living pressures.

“Everything’s going up so I’m not surprised they’re taking the opportunity to increase parking fees too,” he said.

“I think people are still going to go visit Balmoral – it doesn’t matter if it’s $9 or $10 – people will just unfortunately have to pay it.”

A council spokeswoman said the increases “simply regain parity with existing 2021/22 fees already charged in Sydney’s other comparable beaches in the Northern Beaches and eastern suburbs local government areas.”

“Our residents receive parking permits so the charges help cover the cost of the impact of the significant number of visitors who are attracted to our much loved parks and beaches,” she said.

“Fee income goes into general revenue, which is used for a wide range of purposes, including continuing to maintain our beaches, roads and reserves for our residents and visitors.

“Council is satisfied that the changes are unlikely to have a significant impact on trade due to the ongoing popularity of these areas.”