It has been a hot topic among the community and local retailers for years.
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What is the best approach for parking in the city centre?
Shoppers and some retailers alike have bemoaned a lack of a free parking option has had a negative impact and sent the business elsewhere.
Well, the GPT Group announced on Monday a free parking period would allow drivers to park without charge for two hours on weekends.
“It’s obviously one of the biggest pieces of feedback we get, and we’re always reviewing the parking,” GPT Group regional manager Antony Keenan said.
“We saw weekends as the best opportunity to put in a period of free parking.”
Many have called for free parking for short-term periods but it is clearly understandable why the company has to take a controlled approach.
The thousands of CBD workers make this different from the likes of places like Stocklands Shellharbour.
Our Facebook page offered a case in point _
“What a joke. Because that totally helps everyone who works in the city and struggles to find a park that won’t cost them a kidney for a few hours,’’ one upset person said.
“That is the reason we need to pay. Workers will be using it as there own person parking spots,’’ someone shot back.
“How is it GPT's responsibility to provide parking for CBD workers? Maybe park at a train station or near a (free) bus stop?,” another replied.
“Some people don’t have the time or are able to get to free busses or trains? I have things to do in the mornings that require me to have my car. The price of parking is too bloody much. Argue all you want, but that is my opinion. I don’t earn a lot, yet I still have to pay ridiculous amounts to park my car. I already pay enough to have it registered and insured every year,” the original person responded.
“That’s the reason it hasn’t been free, people like you expect other people to provide you with free parking,’’ another person said ending the argument.
Whether you think it is “about time” or long "overdue" the move promises to be a good one for both retailers and shoppers alike.
And it will be a baptism of fire for the first weekend with H&M, Illawarra’s Next Top Model heats and the celebration of our Olympic champions.
