Woolies confirms reports of Darwin CBD workers using two-hour parking bays all day, as shoppers miss out
DARWIN city workers have been stealing parking from hungry supermarket shoppers since a major carpark closed.
Northern Territory
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DARWIN city workers have been stealing parking from hungry supermarket shoppers since the Cavenagh Street carpark closed.
Darwin CBD lost 391 parking bays when the Cavenagh Street car park closed in June to make way for Charles Darwin University’s $250m city campus.
The NT News has received multiple reports of workers leaving their vehicles in the Darwin City Woolworths car park, with many shoppers becoming frustrated at the lack of parking.
A Woolworths spokeswoman has confirmed it is investigating the issue.
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“We are aware that the Woolworths Darwin City car park is being used by people other than our customers and have raised our concerns with Centre Property Management,” she said.
“We understand both our landlord and managing agent are working closely with local authorities to implement better controls of the car park and we hope to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.”
According to signs at the car park, vehicles not complying with terms and conditions could be served a parking breach notice and charged $65, or an immobilised vehicle release fee of $135.
The Woolworths spokeswoman said attempts were still being made to expand the car park to Searcy Street.
“We continue to seek progress on a development application for additional carparking on Searcy Street with council, following our recent investment of more than $6 million to upgrade the Woolworths Darwin City store,” she said.
Last year project applicants MasterPlan SA Pty Ltd submitted a proposal to implement “changes to the carparking area associated with an existing commercial development (Woolworths)”.
The upgrades would remove 26 bays in the car park, currently holding 148 spaces, while the two lots on Searcy Street would have 52 car parks for a total of 176.
A disabled car park would also be introduced.
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A Darwin council spokeswoman encouraged motorists to abide by road rules and park where permitted.
“City of Darwin has nine off-street carparks totalling more than 2160 carparks, with an additional 1683 on street,” she said.
“A recent visual inspection of City of Darwin’s off car parks indicated in excess of 400 car spaces available across Chinatown, Westlane and State Square car parks.”
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