Toowoomba residents react to council’s draft parking strategy

The Toowoomba council’s new draft parking strategy has earned some serious criticism from several readers. See the reactions here:

Toowoomba residents have slammed proposed changes to carparking in the city’s CBD in the council’s new draft strategy, with some describing it as “price-gouging”.

The new plan, which closed to feedback from the public last week, features new zones and a raft of potential changes, including a rollout of monitoring technology to track occupancy levels and compliance.

The loss of the “first 30 minutes free” for CBD spaces and the introduction of “demand-based pricing”, where prices go up and down based on the number of parks available, were particularly controversial.

Chronicle readers believed the changes to hurt CBD businesses, with some angry at the perception of increased costs.

Others felt the further introduction of mobile phone apps to pay for parking would make it more confusing, with some readers pointing to the debacle over the council’s previous system.

Here’s what residents both on our website and on social media had to say:

Negative Impact on CBD Businesses

Shaun

I don’t shop in the CBD anyway. Too complicated. Business down there should be concerned that parking fees just keep driving shoppers away. I shop in the outer shopping centres or online.

Why not?

And they wonder why shops are disappearing in the centre of town and people just hit a shopping centre. How about the council supports those inner-city businesses who are struggling against the big corporate shopping centres and franchises?

Robert

Toowoomba’s CBD has been dying for decades now. The vibrant city centre I remember when I was a kid is unrecognisable these days. Making the centre even more unattractive to negotiate by increasing parking costs is ridiculous.

Jo-Anne Maree

A lot of businesses will miss out. I use the half-hour free park to race to the chemist or op shops or other small businesses, which I will not do if I have to pay for parking. I will just go somewhere else.

Jules Bannister

I just don’t go to the CBD because of the lack of parking. A good way to kill the CBD.

David Hart

If they stop the free parking, no more shopping for me in the CBD area. The parking fees I will save can go towards online shopping.

Heather Brown

How is this doing what is good for Toowoomba residents & our country visitors who come into Toowoomba to spend money in our shops? They already find our parking system confusing.

Complexity and Inaccessibility

Susieh

I haven’t shopped in the CBD for years either. Less hassle re not overstaying time at the suburban shopping centres, and no trying to work out payment systems.

Philip

So complex. Don’t shop in the CBD because of the parking. This seems to be part of the charge them more rates and we will give them more rules and less service.

Robin Wilson

Well, I seldom go to the centre of town as I find the parking meters very confusing. Yes, I am in the older age bracket, so I will have to make some changes as some of my medical appointments are there.

Jane Dix

No consideration taken that apps are not easy for a lot of seniors. Just another issue for them to negotiate.

Sally Nolan

Myself and probably a lot more around my age (81) don’t know how to use meters and now couldn’t care less. Tried to visit Empire Theatre not long ago. Couldn’t work off street car park out so asked a couple of men HOW? They were working with their truck but tried to help me out. After a few tries, I had to give up.

Juanita Henry

Elderly don’t know how to use parking apps so they rarely go into town centre. You got to be able to park and know how to pay fees.

Robert Spinks

Keep the 30 min but we shouldn’t have to go to those stupid metres to log in for it. Need a better system but not just to take in money for you.

Perception of Greed and Revenue Raising

Sheree Jasper

No, money hungry is what it is.

David Hart

Money-hungry government taking away the free half-hour. Really, grubs they are.

Sharon Hillier

Why are council charging for something they don’t own? Just another money-hungry thieving council (grubs) worse than scammers.

Alison Grady

Nothing but a cash grab from a poorly managed Council. PLEASE can we not just vote them in blindly next time?

Vietkong Ace

This council just keeps proving they are out of touch with the community. Just another “we can’t budget so we need more money” scheme.

Eddie Jones

Dynamite pricing is a complete ripoff.

Ali Briggs

Terrible idea! So, you go downtown, find a park and then find out today’s price based on demand? No thanks.