South Townsville businesses blow up about the council’s paid parking expansion

Townsville City Council’s lack of consultation before approving the expansion of paid parking has been blasted in a survey of local businesses. See what they said.

Multiple businesses have highlighted the council’s lack of consultation around the paid parking expansion in South Townsville. Pictures: Supplied.

Townsville City Council’s lack of consultation prior to approving the expansion of paid parking has gone down like a lead balloon with businesses already struggling through a cost-of-living crisis, according to a survey by the Townsville Bulletin.

From January 6, 2025, areas around The Strand, Gregory St, Mitchell St, Palmer St and the Fulham Rd medical precinct will have new parking meters installed after the majority of Townsville City Councillors voted in favour of a paid parking expansion, as well as hiking parking fees up to $2 an hour and $10 per day.

When asked if there was any business consultation in the lead up approving the paid parking expansion plan, a Townsville City Council spokesman pointed to PSA Consulting’s 2022 Parking Report.

PSA undertook an in-depth parking study to gain an understanding of the existing parking supply and demand (both occupancy and duration of stay) within and nearby Townsville city, to forecast future parking growth and utilisation including demand, occupancy and duration of stay.

Paid parking expansion at Palmer St and the surrounding area from January 6, 2025. Picture: TCC.

No evidence was offered to demonstrate business consultation, despite Townsville City Council carrying out public consultation on other issues, like masterplanning for parks and flying-fox roost management.

To paint a clearer picture of the impact created by expanding paid parking, the Townsville Bulletin reached out to affected businesses throughout the Palmer St area, where parking meters will operate from 9am-5pm, Monday to Sunday.

Bayview Bar and Bistro

Bayview Bar and Bistro Venue Manager Leah Kim blasted the council’s lack of consultation, saying it was necessary to understand paid parking’s negative impact.

Citing articles which forecast that 1 in 11 hospitality venues would close due to increased cost of goods, rising costs of living resulting in weaker consumer spending and other factors, she questioned why the council was putting such a scheme into play without speaking with those impacted.

Bayview Bar and Bistro Venue Manager Leah Kim is among the South Townsville businesses who are upset about Townsville City Council's lack of consultation and the potential impacts of the paid parking expansion. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“While the explanation as to how these zones will “help us” has been released (in a letter from council), I don’t believe the opinion of all the people actually impacted by it has been substantially obtained to back up the statement,” Ms Kim said.

“I think the lack of transparency before the announcement and the inability to give an opinion of how detrimental this decision is to local businesses before it was decided was poor.

“Putting a zoned 2hr time restriction on customers adds pressure to leave rather than enjoying their time at our venue and surrounds.”

Parking meters will appear along Palmer St from the start of 2025. Picture: Leighton Smith.

She said cost of living issues were already having a “drastic impact” on their business.

“The combination of paid parking in an already low impact traffic sector, alongside time restrictions on already limited parking options makes it less likely for guests to dine and visit with us,” she said.

“We’re already down a more “remote” end of Palmer street, without isolating us further by adding in these limitations.

“We’ve seen how zoned paid parking has impact the CBD negatively … we don’t need anymore local favourites turning into ghost streets.”

The Pub on Palmer, The Palmer Collective, Rydges Southbank Townsville

Owner of the recently reopened The Pub on Palmer, as well as nearby hotels The Palmer Collective and Rydges Southbank Townsville, Star Hotel Group managing director Steven Shoobridge criticised the paid parking expansion

The Star Hotel Group managing director Steven Shoobridge has criticised the expansion of paid parking, which will impact on three of his Palmer St businesses. Picture: Supplied.

He said paid parking would negatively impact on his businesses, which were also struggling due to a lack of parking availability during busier periods.

“We pay a lot of rates, and (Townsville City Council) hasn’t consulted or understood the impact before making this decision,” Mr Shoobridge said.

“Look after the rate payers before making business harder on Palmer St.”

Seoul Mart

Located on Plume St, Seoul Mart owner Sophie Seo described the introduction of paid parking as “unfortunate” given that their customers already faced significant challenges due to extremely limited parking space in the area.

“Our customers frequently find themselves having to park quite a distance away from our store and I doubt if a paid parking system will help this fundamental problem or not,” Ms Seo said.

Seoul Mart owner Sophie Seo is worried that parking fees would deter future customers. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“Our shop offers a wide range of unique and specialised Korean products, which often leads our customers to spend time browsing and shopping.

“However, for those who enjoy taking their time exploring the store, the issue of parking fees can be a deterrent. This concern may influence their decision to visit our shop.”

She said the council should have carried out more consultation.

“I was simply informed by letter that the area would be converted into a paid parking zone, and that was the extent of the communication,” she said.

“If such a decision was necessary, it would have been prudent to first consider whether there is sufficient parking space available in the South Townsville area.”

Aalishan Indian Restaurant

Located on Palmer St, Aalishan Indian Restaurant owner and head chef Inderdeep Tamber said the council should have spoken to all the local businesses close to the proposed paid parking locations before a decision was made.

Inderdeep Singh Tamber (centre) celebrating the opening of Aalishan Indian Restaurant on Palmer St with his family in 2020.

“I am thinking it will affect all of our lunch time customers,” Mr Tamber said.

“They might reduce their visits and that will force us to organise home delivery service, which we are unable to do due to a staff shortage issue.”

He said their business was already dealing with a multitude of challenges including rates, taxes, and the increasing cost of raw materials being charged by their suppliers.

“Will paid parking revenue give us any benefit or is it just for the local government only?” he asked.

Moksha Room

Located on Dibbs St, Moksha Room Hair & Beauty director Cindy Walker said the paid parking expansion would put the majority of people off coming to their area.

Moksha Room director Cindy Walker complained about the lack of consultation about the paid parking expansion. Picture: Supplied.

“This is a negative idea for our business and all around us, our clients are sometimes in our salon for at least 3-4 hours. We will lose clients due to paid parking in our area,” Ms Walker said.

“It seems the council is making decisions without people that are going to be affected by their decisions. The city is already dead from parking problems.

“Council has to realise that we need to encourage people to the city and the Strand not make it harder. Citizens of Townsville are doing it tough like the rest of the Australia, paid parking puts more pressure on the lower demographics.

“They are not thinking forward and what’s best for our city, they are just thinking ‘where can we make a revenue?’ Council, try running things more streamline, the monetary wastage that we all see is disgusting.”

Townsville Chamber of Commerce weighs in on paid parking

The president of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce Miranda Mears said she has spoken out for their members and other businesses who were negatively impacted by Townsville City Council’s paid parking expansion.

She said there had been a failure regarding transparency and consultation, and that some councillors were not wanting to work with Townsville chamber.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Miranda Mears has described the council's decision to implement paid parking on the Strand as a 'slap in the face'. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“As a business friendly council, they need to do better and be better to support businesses. A strong vibrant business community builds strong vibrant communities,” Ms Mears said.

“Council needs to remember that councils don’t build communities – communities build communities and we don’t need a fun dad or a responsible dad – we need a team that can take feedback and input constructively and work collaboratively. This is not what collaboration looks like.”

For more information on the paid parking expansion, visit the council’s website.

Originally published as South Townsville businesses blow up about the council’s paid parking expansion