Free Christmas parking for Darwin CBD shoppers
CHRISTMAS shoppers will be spared parking fees over the festive and new year period with Darwin Council waiving fees – a move that will cost $130,000 in council revenue
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CHRISTMAS shoppers will be again spared any parking fees over the festive and new year period with Darwin Council waiving fees – a move that will cost $130,000 in council revenue.
Shoppers, traders and visitors will enjoy almost a month of free parking, from December 8 to January 5.
In a report council general manager innovation growth and development services Josh Sattler said the free parking would help to encourage city trading over Christmas.
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“It is believed providing free parking in the CBD over the Christmas period assists local business with trading activity,” he said. “Council did so over the 2018/19 Christmas and new year period and may wish to consider doing so again for this year’s festive period.”
Council noted last year’s free Christmas parking strategy wasn’t as successful as hoped, blaming a lack of public awareness.
However, council’s free parking during the same period over the 2017/2018 period came at a total estimated reduction in carparking revenue of $129,000.
Mr Sattler said it was important the initiative didn’t have unintended consequences through a lack of trader turnover.
“Similar to last year, it is recommenced to provide free parking only for council’s on-street carparking bays,” he said.
“In order to ensure a turnover of vehicles to support local trade, it is proposed to maintain time restrictions.”
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It means people may still be fined by rangers over the period for illegal parking, staying in a spot for longer than allowed or other traffic infringements.
Council estimated the reduction in revenue by providing free carparking was between $8500 and $12,000 per day for on-street parking and between $8000 and $9000 per day for off street parking, based on revenue collected in 2018/19.
Council will decide whether to accept the free parking proposal at tonight’s meeting
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