Calls to reduce price of parking to $17 at Parramatta Station carpark

Councillors have been urged to cut the price of parking at a central spot in one of Sydney’s busiest CBDs amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Judy Pritchard uses the Parramatta Station carpark regularly.

An independent councillor has called for $5 to be shaved off the daily parking rate at a carpark in Sydney’s second CBD, in a move that could save regular commuters more than $1000 a year.

Cr Kellie Darley has tabled a motion for Monday’s council meeting to drop the all-day parking rate at the Parramatta Station carpark from $22 to $17 amid the cost-of-living crisis.

She said the current price posed a “significant burden for a household to bear, particularly with Parramatta light rail still not operating and other public transport gaps that persist across our city’’.

The council increased the cost of parking at the Wentworth Ave site from $14 to $22 in June.

“It’s just a hike – $14 to $22,’’ Cr Darley said.

“To jump 57 per cent is significant when people are doing it tough, and when we’re encouraging people to work in our city again rather than work from home.’’

It is understood the council implemented the $14 price by mistake and it was never meant to be that cheap, but Cr Darley said the increase should have been transitioned gradually.

It costs $22 to park all day at the Parramatta Station carpark.

Councillor Kellie Darley. Picture: Alexander Mayes Photography

“I had a number of people reach out to me and they’re just trying to make an honest living,’’ she said.

“They said it’s just ridiculous.

“That $5 would save people a fair bit.’’

She said council staff could park for $12 but it was inequitable for the general public, who used the eight-level carpark to reach the train station and Westfield shopping centre, or work in the CBD.

Fairfield mother-of-five Judy Pritchard uses the carpark three days a week to work to reach her job at the Australian College of Nursing nearby.

The scholarships officer has felt the pinch after spending more than $60 a week.

“With five kids, you’ve got to come to work,” she said.

“You’ve got no choice. You’ve got to put food on the table.’’

However, compared with other parking lots in Parramatta, some drivers called $17 for all-day parking “a steal’’.

If her motion is given the green light, Cr Darley has called for council chief executive Gail Connolly to implement the changes from December 2.

The $17 fee would be in line with the all-day price at InterPark on Hassall St, while Valentine Ave is $15.

It is understood the extra parking revenue has been used to upgrade council carparks.

The station carpark will be closed on November 23, November 30 and December 7 from 6pm to 6am when improvements will get under way.