Valet to hit the spot
Parking service plan to free up extra spaces
LOCAL businesses are suggesting valet parking as a fix to parking in areas with bustling night life.
Nobby Beach, Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach have encountered frustrating parking problems as their hospitality offerings increase.
The idea of affordable valet parking has been considered by local residents and business owners, whereby a third-party company would park cars away from the main strips, freeing up car spaces and benefiting residents.
Nobby Beach Bine Bar and Dining owner Simone Tunbridge said with parking as bad as it is around the suburb, a solution was badly needed.
“Everybody knows that it’s basically impossible to get a park at Nobbys or Burleigh on weekends and for businesses that’s a real problem,” she said.
“There would obviously need to be some serious thought put into introducing valet parking but it has real potential to work. The light rail coming down will ease the strain but that’s still a long way off and there are more venues opening all the time.
“We need a fix soon.” Fire Cue Bar and Grill owner Adam Dundas-Taylor also agreed that valet parking could be a solution for all.
The Nobby Beach restaurateur also opened Barbacoa in Seminyak, Bali, and said valet parking was successful over there.
“I’ve spent a lot of time over in Bali and valet parking is something that works really well,” he said.
“As long as it’s affordable and not just a way for someone to make money off people, I think it would be a good idea.”
Division 12 Pauline Young was unavailable to comment on the matter.
Gold Coast City Council declined to comment on the idea until details such as where cars would be taken and who would take responsibility for insurance were further cemented.