Car parking needs review

CAIRNS Regional Council needs to reevaluate parking in the CBD as it is clear the new changes are causing a lot of angst and anger.

At the weekend, particularly on Sunday, motorists and customers are steering clear of the CBD.

There are many empty metered spaces while the free centre parks are full.

The one-hour restrictions, especially near the popular Rusty’s Markets, are deterring customers.

During the week, tradies working on the new hotel developments in the CBD are hogging many of the spaces.

What happened to the council’s proposed shuttle service for these workers?

North on the Esplanade the car parks for leisure users also are being taken up all day by workers at nearby businesses and the hospital.

While it’s all very well the council considers a new parking app to make paying for parking easier, it really needs to survey business operators in the CBD to find out what impact the new parking rules are having on trade.

We live in a users-pay system, but it is clear that city residents are not willing to pay for parking now, when it was once free from 11.30am on Saturday through to 8.30am on Monday.

While suburban shopping centres with free parking gain, the CBD is losing.

There is no doubt the new regulations have resulted in a downturn in trade and custom in the CBD at the weekend.

There is no harm in admitting that sometimes we get it wrong. Nick Dalton Deputy editor