 The decision by Manly Council this week to retain the two hour free parking in the Manly CBD carparks was simply a farce! If you want to completely kill Manly, take away the free parking. The real question that should be explored is what benefit would Manly gain if three hours free parking was introduced, just like the competing shopping areas nearby. Yes, Manly is unique. It is not just shops. It's also beaches, schools, classes, community activities, a social meeting place. And locals are staying away in droves because it's just getting too hard to visit, and park in Manly. Two hours is simply not long enough.Those who do park here are constantly looking at their watches to make sure they don't go over the two hours! Council's figures show that 80% of people who use the car parks stay for two hours. Yes, $1.2m is generated by the 3rd hour but I wonder how much business is being lost because people are rushing back to move their car rather than ordering that extra coffee, popping into a shop or calling into the newsagent for example. What do you think? Is it time to review our parking approach in Manly? Would three hours free parking encourage you to come back to Manly? Do our Poll. Add your comment.
7 Comments
Annie
6/6/2012 08:44:15 am
Why are we so desperate to bring more cars into Manly to add to the congestion? There is plenty of buses and ferries that service Manly. Try parking on a weekend anywhere near Manly as it is without making it more attractive to drivers by offering more free parking.
Haydn Smith
6/6/2012 08:50:11 am
Hi Candy, how about a fairer go for Manly ratepayers in the council (ratepayer) owned parking stations? I recently had to outlay $30 in parking fees for 6 hours in the council car park which will make me think twice about going to the Taste's of Manly followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
jeff
6/6/2012 09:31:08 am
Council needs to look at resident parking schemes, on street parking, parking stations, commuter parking, public transport (and interchanges) in a holistic manner. They are all inter-dependant.
Ron
6/6/2012 09:35:10 am
A balance has to be struck between increased free parking and also keeping traffic moving to allow other people to benefit from 2 hours free parking. Increasing free parking time could create greater traffic problems. I think 2 hours is about right. 1 hour is definitely too short but 3 hours may be too long and detrimental to general traffic flow. Maybe the zoned parking tickets for residents are being misused?
jjjj
6/6/2012 09:36:16 am
Steve
6/6/2012 10:30:33 am
I'm in favour of using parking to generate revenue. I do not get the reasons why Council should subsidse parking to benefit shop owners. what do shop owners give back to Manly? Manly's attraction is its seaside location, it's harbour access via the ferries and the beach! This is what people will pay to see. Cars detract from that. We have limited parking the price of which should be what the market will bear 25/8/2012 09:43:04 am
Very interesting and informative blog, its 3 hours free parking. The points you highlighted are very mind grabbing Thanks . Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Deputy Mayor & Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. Background in marketing, public relations and community engagement. Author of five business books. Former Lady Mayoress of Sydney. Aka Candy Tymson. ........................................
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