A Wollongong Central manager has rejected accusations from store owners that his company is "holding the entire CBD to ransom over their parking policy", saying the costs are reasonable and necessary to make parking convenient.
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Centre manager Dennis Price, who took over the role a month ago, said GPT was happy with the cost and use of its three parking stations and asked retailers to consider the company's track record of investment in the region before handing out criticism.
"GPT is a major investor in the Illawarra, and has been a long-term investor in the Illawarra - we have just recently put another $200 million into it," he said.
"All of that goes to show that we engage with stakeholders quite seriously, we listen to any potential concerns ... so I really believe that to say we're holding the city to ransom is quite unwarranted, given our track record."
Gripes with the city's paid parking were raised once again last week, when lower Crown Street retailers said they were suffering one of their worst trading seasons despite the millions invested in the mall.
South Coast Runners owner Karl Hayes said most of his customers named parking as the biggest barrier to shopping at his store, and made the comment that GPT was holding the city to ransom by not allowing some free parking.
The story attracted a significant amount of online comments, with many Mercury readers also blaming the parking situation for the retailers' woes.
But Mr Price said he considered GPT's parking rates - which start from $2 for one hour and rise to $20 for more than five hours - "a reasonable cost" and "not a significant investment".
"The fact that the centre is located in the CBD means the parking situation is obviously different to any suburban set-up and ... in our experience, offering free parking even for a limited period, mainly benefits commuters, workers and non-shoppers," he said.
"Our main concern is to make the centre as convenient and accessible as possible for shoppers."
Mr Price also said the company was open to adjusting its parking system, but emphasised he did not know when or what type of changes could be made.
"We constantly look at what's the best way to manage [the parking], and we have some very good technology that enables us to manage our parking flow," Mr Price said.
Faced with questions about how stores in the new and existing Wollongong Central properties were faring in terms of customers and turnover, Mr Price said he had been approached by some retailers who were "being challenged" but did not believe this was across the board.
"There are always retailers that perform at different levels ... and that would be the case here," he said.
Tickets inconvenient
One of the problems is parking and the fact that you now have to pay for it in the mall centre or on the Wollongong streets somewhere. It’s not the expense of a couple of dollars, it is the inconvenience of trying to find a machine to get your ticket, especially in the rain.
Chris
An extra expense
From my house at Woonona I drive past Wollongong and hit Dapto, Warrawong or Figtree, where free parking is available, or north to Campbelltown. I once ventured into the Gong, spent some cash; bought the family lunch, shopped at a number of stores, and I was still out of pocket for parking.
David
No charge at Woolies
Stop blaming the lack of free parking! Woolworths has free parking for an hour and that’s right at that end of the mall.
the truth
Shop on the internet
The only shop I use in the mall now is the barber shop near the chess board because I can’t get a haircut online. Everything else I can. Shops just don’t carry the stock they used to. A bit of a catch 22 really.
OnlineShopper
Visibility an issue
Paid parking is the main issue but not the only one. There is also the lack of visibility as all the action is at the other end of the mall.
Kathy
Take a new approach
They should open the bottom half of the mall to one-direction car traffic with 45degree parking. From David Jones to Kembla Street and from the taxi rank up to where the police station is.
Jack
kmcilwain@fairfaxmedia.com.au