Macquarie Park’s parking fees set to increase
MOTORISTS at one of Sydney’s growing commercial districts would be charged more for street parking under a council proposal.
MOTORISTS at Macquarie Park would be charged more for street parking under a Ryde Council proposal.
At the same time, the council is moving to reduce the number of compulsory off-street car spaces that developers have to provide within their projects.
Ryde Council has proposed scrapping the $11 cap for motorists parking all day in the suburb’s 12P zones, and increasing the hourly rate from $2.50 to $3.50.
There are about 1300 street parking spaces in the business precinct and about 500 of these are 12-hour zones.
The proposal, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, would also reduce the number of off-street parking spaces property owners provide in new developments.
Currently many owners can provide a space for each 46sq m, but under the proposal, this would become 60sqm.
Employers and workers who drive to Macquarie Park are those most likely to be affected by the proposal.
The parking meters earned $1,101,814 last financial year.
If the proposal were to be accepted, the estimated additional income would be $440,000, according to the council.
A spokeswoman for the council said it was consulting the community before any decision.
The proposed parking rate increase was of concern for Ryde Business Forum president Tony Abboud.
Higher rates for all day parking could deter people from working at Macquarie Park, he said.
Mr Abboud wanted to know how the council would use the increased revenue.
Transport management association Connect, a business group which advocates for better transport at Macquarie Park and North Ryde, had similar questions.
General manager Rebecca Lehman said she was cautiously supportive of the proposal and wanted increased revenue spent on improving bus services to the area.
“We should support those people who have no alternative transport,” she said.
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