Wollongong City Council has caved in to public pressure over its unpopular parking meter regime, agreeing to cut parking costs while a review is carried out.
In an open letter to the community, sent to the Mercury this morning, the council’s general manager David Farmer announced half-hour zones would drop to 50c and one-hour parking would cost $1 until the review is complete.
The flat $2 fee will remain on two-hour and three-hour zones.
Stickers will be placed on meters to alert motorists to the revised fees. The changes are expected to take effect by this afternoon.
Changes arising from the parking review are likely to be implemented by September.
The backflip comes after a hostile public meeting attended by Mr Farmer last week, where retailers and shoppers expressed their anger over the controversial parking meters.
CBD businesses have reported a sharp downturn in trade since parking meters were introduced in March.
"I heard your concerns and I agree we need to get the model for paid parking right," Mr Farmer wrote, saying the interim price cut was "an act of good faith".
Mr Farmer said the use of metered spaces was growing, but conceded the system needed to be improved.
A standard $2 fee will still apply to credit card payments.
FOR THE FULL STORY, SEE THE ILLAWARRA MERCURY ON FRIDAY.
Email a friend