Free parking returns as Palmerston Council backs business

MORE than 350 car park spaces will be made free by Palmerston Council in a bid to increase city centre business and visitation

Palmerston Council has announced 365 free parking spots. For Bakewell resident Judith Ritchie and her partner, who come the city centre at least four times a week, the cost savings will be considerable. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

MORE than 350 car park spaces will be made free by Palmerston Council in a bid to increase city centre business and visitation.

The announcement will see 365 timed car parks – 42 per cent of council run parks – made free from July 1.

Valid tickets must still be displayed to ensure drivers don’t exceed the time limit, while 386 full-day parking spaces will not have their $4 charge increased.

Previously, parking was charged at $1.80 per two hours.

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Council is also looking to introduce a parking app to provide more payment options.

At the time of the introduction of the paid parking in 2016, Chamber of Commerce NT executive officer Greg Bicknell said the decision was “a bit off”.

The issue was a contentious one during the Palmerston election last year.

Deputy mayor Sarah Henderson said people had been reluctant to come to the city centre to shop since paid parking was introduced.

“It’s been extremely difficult, people have been shopping in other places they’ve spoken to me several times about it,” she said.

Palmerston Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said it was important for Council to address the issue, which had many residents up in arms since its introduction.

“This Council’s undertaken a significant review of parking in our city centre we’ve come up with solutions that will hopefully suit the businesses as well as the broader community,” she said.

“Consultation will be one-on-one with business owners, so there’ll be some doorknocking, we’ll have a pop-up stall in the Palmerston shopping centre from Thursday, April 4, to Saturday, April 6.”

Minor changes will be made to parking zones to align them with the demand and usage data of the city centre, while parking officers will now patrol between 8am to 4pm, rather than 8am to 5pm.

Palmerston Regional Business Association president Wayne Zerbe said it was a good move for businesses.

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“Anything making it easier for businesses and retailers is a good thing,” Mr Zerbe said.

“Obviously, the easier you make it for people to get around the city centre, particularly at this time of year when it’s hot and wet, is a good thing.”

Bakewell resident Judith Ritche was rapt to see free parking come to Palmerston’s city centre and she would be coming more often as a result.

“We probably come up here three or four times … so you’re saving $7 or $8 a week,” she said.

“We usually park underground, you don’t have to pay under there, so it’s a bit of a handy hint.”