Parking revenue takes a dive during wet season slump

Motorists have shied away from city parking in the last quarter, with Darwin Council’s parking revenue taking a hit of 16 per cent.

Parking inspectors booking in Mitchell Street. A drop in revenue hasn’t seen a spike in infringements, with motorists copping 753 less infringements compared to the same quarter last year.

Motorists have shied away from city parking in the last quarter, with Darwin Council’s parking revenue taking a hit of more than $150,000.

Council raised $941,060 from parking revenue from October to December last year – $151,268 worse off than the same quarter the previous year.

Council estimated it has forgone $77,000 in revenue due to free on street parking during the Christmas period but shoppers received similar parking benefits in the same period last year.

Darwin manager economic development Josh Sattler said while parking revenue had taken a hit, council was looking at ways to reduce costs.

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“Council’s total carparking revenue is down $151,268 for the quarter to December compared to last year and down $102,552 year to date,” he said.

“Current meter collections have been restructured to reduce the number of monthly collections which has resulted in a saving of approximately $50,000 within this financial year.”

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Council will remove 40 parking meters during the next quarter, will aim to reduce further costs, with council’s 80 poorest performing meters identified across the city, majority of which are located toward the Daly St end of Woods St, Cavenagh St and Smith St, as well as Lindsay St next to Frog Hollow Park.

Council generated a total of $524,964 from off-street carparking fees, down $52,789 on the previous year’s quarter while $416,096 was raised from on streets parking spaces, down $98,479.

Mr Sattler said payment by mobile phone had grown.

“56 per cent of all payments being made through PayStay mobile phone app, 15 per cent by credit card and 29 per cent by cash for the quarter ending 31st December 2019,” he said.

Mr Sattler said motorists maintained safe and lawful driving practices during the quarter, with no indication increased infringements would make up for the lack of revenue.

“A total of 3838 infringements were issued in the city centre including off-street car parks for the period October to December 2019,” he said.

“This figure is down 753 for the same period last year.”