SALE COULD COST CITY VISITORS
for “a lot more”. But he emphasised that what business owners most wanted was more affordable parking options for customers.
“All we want is accessible and affordable parking in Surfers Paradise,” he said.
“We’ve been very forthright in wanting parking spaces to increase and prices to decrease to encourage more people to visit here.
“We are disappointed there wasn’t much consultation regarding the sale of the car park, which would have a huge impact on businesses.”
Reaction among locals and tourists to the sale has been mixed.
Some said they welcomed the private ownership of the car park, particularly if it meant lower prices as the new owners have promised.
Others said they would have preferred the facility to stay in council hands.
Sam Richards, who commutes to the Gold Coast from Coorparoo for his job as a chef, parks in the Bruce Bishop car park daily.
He was concerned the vacant land above the car park could be used for development.
“People are so quick to look at the cheap parking and don’t look at the other costs associated with it,” he said.
“They might use the land above to build a revenueraising thing like an apartment block.
“I would love a cheaper (parking) rate but at what cost to the city?”
John Fowler, a long-time Surfers local, said the car park would have been in safer hands with the council.
“It is very important that the parking rate be regulated and not raised ridiculously in the long term,” he said.
New owners Care Park said the company had “no plans” to develop the site and would continue to operate it as a car park, flagging a significant cut in parking fees.