Territorians weigh in on Saturday parking fees in Darwin CBD

Darwin city businesses and customers are resisting the council’s plan to introduce paid parking on Saturdays in the CBD for the first time in more than a decade.

Many of the Territory’s favourite cafes line the streets of the CBD, but that freshly-brewed cuppa on the weekend is about to come with extra costs.

For the first time in more than a decade, motorists will be charged on Saturdays to park along roads such as Cavenagh, Mitchell, Bennett and Knuckey streets from August 1.

Territorians and tourists’ pockets will be $2 lighter for every hour they park in Zone A of the CBD – with a maximum stay time of two hours from 8am-2pm.

City of Darwin chief executive Simone Saunders said the move would support local businesses by making sure there was enough parking for everyone.

“The issue we now have is that many workers and visitors will park all day in the same spot on Saturdays, which means there is less turnover of parking spaces, making it harder for people to access local retail and hospitality businesses in the central CBD precinct,” she said.

Jag Sekhon likened the move to reintroduce parking fees on Saturdays in Darwin's CBD to 'revenue raising'. Picture: Sierra Haigh

But business owners and customers alike had their reservations about the change.

Though his own cafe did not open on Saturdays, The Meeting Place manager Jag Sekhon said it was already difficult to encourage people to head into the city instead of “one stop” shopping centres.

“You can notice a big difference when the council used to stop parking fees around Christmas time – a lot more people would come in,” he said.

“You could park, you could have a coffee, have breakfast, wander around, do some shopping and not worry about it.”

Mr Sekhon said it was already “slim pickings” for customers and enticing people to shop and dine in the city was only getting harder.

“Everyone wants to support the CBD but you’ve got to make it easy for people to do,” he said.

Marc Corser suggested the City of Darwin council look into using parking apps to offer an hour of free parking before charging blanket fees on Saturdays. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Having moved to the Territory 14 months ago, Marc Corser said he liked to head into the city for a morning cuppa on the weekend but would struggle to find a car spot.

Mr Corser thought the new parking fees would be a “bad move” but said it would free up space in the CBD.

“We struggled a bit to get a car spot, but if it’s going to be paid I reckon we’ll just walk straight in,” he said.

Mr Corser said the council should consider a period of free parking every day of the week – not just on Saturdays – and charging after one or two hours.

“I’m in here for a coffee and something to eat, and then we’re gone, so probably wouldn’t pay (for parking) but if we go over that (time) I’m happy to pay,” he said by way of example.

Maggie Gardiner said paid parking on Saturdays would limit foot traffic throughout the weekend and remove a key market for small businesses. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Maggie Gardiner, a barista at 1995, said small cafes that relied on foot traffic to bring in customers would suffer.

“If there’s less people in the city, we’re going to have less business especially as a newer small business – we still haven’t gotten our name out there a whole lot yet,” she said.

“If they can’t stay longer than an hour or so or don’t want to pay for parking, they’ll see less of the city and put less money into businesses.”

City regular Vivian Moffatt said the city was already a ‘very quiet’ place.

“I think the city needs all the help it can get – it’s very, very quiet and I don’t think people will come in,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s a great idea.”

Originally published as Territorians weigh in on Saturday parking fees in Darwin CBD