‘This is a joke right?’: council under fire for 15 min free parking in CBD

Frustrated Melburnians have pushed back on the recent changes, questioning whether there is any point to the free parking at all.

The City of Melbourne has come under fire for offering 15 minutes of free parking in the CBD.

Frustrated Melburnians have hit back at the announcement, claiming 15 minutes is not enough time to complete any tasks in the city.

The council argued the limited free parking, available through the EasyPark App, will facilitate community members in “supporting a small business” or “taking in the city vibes”.

It is hoped the 15 minutes of free parking will allow commuters to ‘take in the city vibes’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

While the changes were first implemented in July, a post published by the council to Instagram on Friday attracted scrutiny from many.

“This is a joke right? Why would anyone drive all the way into the city for only 15 minutes?” one person wrote.

“Go back to original times and allow more people to get back into the city.”

“As if you can take in the vibes in 15 minutes, and based (on) where the carpark spots are, you’d barely make it to the shop or restaurant and back in 15,” said another.

The council attracted scrutiny after making a post to Instagram on Friday December 8. Picture: Instagram

Commenters questioned which of the council’s suggestions could be achieved in 15 minutes. Picture: Instagram

Others accused the council of “gaslighting” them by not offering more free parking in the evening, and for the noticeable presence of ticket inspectors in the area.

“How can you support any business in 15 minutes time?” one person wrote.

“By sprinting to a shop and run back to the car only to find a ticket on the dashboard?”

“Awesome and at 16 minutes on the dot you’ll get booked,” said another.

In a statement published by the City of Melbourne last month, the council provided an update on the new parking regulations.

The mayor has maintained the changes are ‘working exactly as intended’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui

Under the changes, the 15 minutes of free parking became available in any 2-hour space, while the council also added 126 pick-up/drop-off zones, 217 loading spaces and 19 accessible parking spaces.

“Early data shows our parking improvements are working exactly as intended – keeping spaces turning over outside city businesses, while making it easier to find a park,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

“We’re catering for a range of parking needs and have added more than 200 loading zone and accessible parking spaces for those who need it most.

“Drivers are embracing the flexibility of our new free 15-minute parking system, which is opening up the city by giving more drivers access to free parking outside more businesses and services.”

Originally published as ‘This is a joke right?’: council under fire for 15 min free parking in CBD