North Sydney Council approves new car share spaces after resident, business owner backlash

Prized carparking spots in busy residential streets are set to be converted into car share spaces in a council plan to discourage locals from owning their own vehicles – but not everyone is happy.

A carshare backlash is brewing on Sydney’s lower north shore as residents rally against plans to convert more than a dozen prized carparking spaces into shared vehicle zones.

Public carparking spots in streets across Neutral Bay, Wollstonecraft, McMahons Point, Crows Nest and Cremorne, will be set aside for the exclusive use of privately owned shared cars as part of a North Sydney Council strategy to discourage private vehicle ownership.

Share car providers GoGet and Popcar have applied to the council to have 14 dedicated carparking spaces for their vehicles in a move the companies say would meet demand for their services.

But the plan has become a vexed issue for locals with public consultation showing of the 14 spaces, just two had the majority support of residents.

Concerns by residents have included “privatisation” of public carparking spaces, impacts on business, lack of rationale for car share, impacts on school drop off areas as well as “noise impacts” from late night car share activity.

GoGet wants to operate in more spaces across the north shore.

Despite opposition, the council’s traffic committee has voted in support of the proposed locations.

A council report stated the dedication of car share spaces could “reduce the level of private vehicle ownership” as well as easing “pressure on parking as one car space can cater for many residents”.

“It also reduces traffic congestion caused by drivers who are traffic ‘cruising’ as they look for parking,” the report added.

A map of the planned carshare locations.

One resident in a submission to the council stated the proposed changes could impact residents with mobility issues who rely on carparking spaces near homes.

Other residents with car permits have also raise concerns over the limited availability of on-street carparking.

“It feels like I just paid close to $100 to park on the street close to the front of my property (when available) only to have one of the very few car spaces available now proposing to be on-sold by the council,” another submission wrote.

A photo of a car share vehicle operated by Popcar

“This is the premium space that the residents use for unloading shopping, kids and overnight parking.

“I do not agree with taking away one free car space for the local residents, local businesses and families collecting their children from the school opposite in favour of a car share company who will be making money out of this venture,” another submission stated.

The consultation report released by the council shows not all residents were opposed with some describing the option of car share as a “lifeline.”

“I’ve been a local resident for over 10 years, and during this time, access to (car share vehicles) has been a lifesaver,” one resident stated.

“I believe broader access would alleviate some of the pains of medium to higher density living we have in the area.”

The traffic committee noted the concerns raised by residents and the “difficulty they have locating parking”.

But the council has also cited a survey by GoGet which claimed 30 per cent of car share users in North Sydney have: given up a car entirely since joining GoGet”.

The only streets that had a major of support for the car share spaces were Albany Street in Crows Nest and Bays Road in Waverton

In a statement, a council spokeswoman said the council “understands that not being able to find a convenient parking space is frustrating”.

“On-street parking is already limited, and we cannot create more on-street parking when there is no space available,” she said.

“Car share is a way to use the space we have more efficiently. By reducing the need for everyone to have their own car, car share frees up on-street parking and alleviates parking capacity issues.

“It can also reduce congestion, as there are fewer drivers driving around the streets looking for parking.”

NEW CAR SHARE LOCATIONS

Nicholson Street, Wollstonecraft

Albany Street, Crows Nest

Atchison Street, Crows Nest

Waters Road, Neutral Bay

Edward Street, North Sydney

High View Ave, Neutral Bay

Spruson Street, Neutral Bay

Premier Street, Neutral Bay

Nicholson Street, Wollstonecraft

88 Bays Road, Waverton

Paling Street, Cremorne

Lavender Street, McMahons Point

Harriot Street, Waverton

Hardie Street, Neutral Bay