Free parking ‘populist’
‘Quick and dirty’ decision divides Geelong’s council
FREE parking will be reintroduced in Geelong’s CBD as a COVID-19 support measure, despite being labelled a “populist” and “quick and dirty” measure without evidence it would stimulate the city.
A one-vote majority of councillors on Tuesday passed Eddy Kontelj’s motion to reinstate free parking in in the CBD until the end of the year.
FREE parking will be reintroduced in Geelong’s CBD as a COVID-19 support measure, despite being labelled a “populist” and “quick and dirty” measure without evidence it would stimulate the city.
A one-vote majority of councillors on Tuesday passed Eddy Kontelj’s motion to reinstate free parking in all onand-off-street casual paid carparking gp spaces s in the CBD from August 31 until the end of the year.
Cr Kontelj argued the measure — expected to cost the city between $840,000 and $2.1m — was a way to show “care and support” for the community amid Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.
He claimed it would provide financial relief to motorists, help support CBD businesses by encouraging people to drive into the city, and help limit the spread of COVID-19 by removing any need to touch parking meters.
“Our time is now to really show some care and support,” he said during the meeting.
“Council is feeling for everyone that’s out there, they know that people are doing it tough during the pandemic, and we do really want to help.”
The motion was not supported by five of the 11 councillors. ouncill
“World’s best practice in disaster response has two fundamental principles: target limited resources to those most in need, design emergency interventions which foster easy transition to development plans, in this case our council plan,” Cr Jim Mason said.
“Universal free parking does neither.”
“It’s a blunt tool, it doesn’t target needy sectors efficiently.
“It’s what’s known as a quick and dirty response, normally only applied when there’s no other option.
“I’m very disappointed with this notice of motion. To me it’s populist, no comprehensive public report, no transparency, no best practice.”
Cr Peter Murrihy argued there was no evidence to support “the notion that free parking is a good stimulus for the CBD”.
The council’s majority faction, which has voted together on all but two contested decisions over the past year, pushed through the measure.
The majority bloc consists of mayor Stephanie Asher, deputy mayor Kylie Grzybek and councillors Kontelj, Anthony Aitken, Ron Nelson and Trent Sullivan.
Free parking has repeatedly divided the faction from the remaining five councillors, with Cr Aitken accusing the “minority bloc” of using a “procedural gag” to stifle debate on the measure this month.