Melbourne City Council’s plans to introduce late night parking fees in Melbourne CBD has been met with frustration from business owners, residents and visitors.
As reported by the Herald Sun, the council intends to abolish free parking in the CBD by introducing a $4 flat rate for parking after 7:30pm.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle says the extra money is required to keep the city clean at night. Mr Doyle claims that metered parking is necessary to fund these new safety initiatives “Otherwise the burden would fall unfairly on ratepayers.”
On Twitter, feedback from Melbourne residents show the public is less than convinced by the justification for these new costs. Twitter user, Backpage posts: “Late night parking fees in Melbourne streets, one word “gouging” nothing to do with that hoary old chestnut “safety”.
A number of other users highlight Melbourne’s long standing public transport issues and the absence of additional train and tram services offered as an alternative to paying for parking in the CBD.
Restaurateurs and other Melbourne CBD business owners are unimpressed with the decision and concerned that diners will choose to go out in suburbs that continue to offer free evening parking.
The Herald Sun reports that the introduction of metered on-street parking will raise $1.9 million of revenue for the City of Melbourne.
