Making tourists pay to park at Wollongong beaches has been floated as one way to reduce congestion and support the local economy.
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Community activist Leigh Stewart was prompted to speak out in support of the idea after a social media post suggesting the need to have metered parking along Wollongong's foreshore generated hundreds of comments.
Several people agreed but many did not support the proposal.
The idea was suggested, providing residents could have an exemption sticker, as a way for tourists to give back to the community, with the money used to help clean up the rubbish that is often left behind after a long weekend.
"Paid parking would make going to the beach more fair and equitable, especially for Illawarra residents," Mr Stewart, who lives in East Corrimal, said.
"For far too long we have been confusing tourists with those visitors who are taking advantage of the region and are not contributing back."
Mr Stewart noted Northern Beaches Council in Sydney gives residents two free parking permits with the option for them to buy more.
"Some people come down to our beaches at 6am with virtually a furniture delivery truck full of barbeques, tents and everything but the kitchen sink," Mr Stewart said. "Then they stay for 10 to 15 hours with many family members, then leave the rubbish and head home.
"Basically all that does is make a mess and stops those who want to come for a few hours because they can't park and go to a cafe, for a walk or swim.
"Most people don't have a problem paying a small fee to park for a four-to-six-hour period. Or perhaps it could only be metered on the weekend or during spring and summer."
One resident, who commented on the social media post, "totally agreed" with the idea.
"Rate payers would have a free parking sticker so we can still use the beaches," she said. "If I went to Sydney or Newcastle I would have to pay, why not down here? The dollars could then be used to keep our public toilets, parks and beaches clean.
"Let's be real, most visitors don't buy from the local cafe, they bring their own stuff."
However, many people did not support the proposal, with one calling it "un-Australian".
"Wow, let's make the beach even less accessible to struggling families," one resident said. "Just because someone doesn't live near the beach doesn't mean we have to make it difficult for them to access it, especially this year when so many people have lost their jobs, lost businesses, and need a bit of a break."
"Yeah terrible idea! Need more parking allocated and road congestion solved," another person said.
One resident made the point that "all Australian beaches are for all Australians to use regardless of where they are or where they live. "Locals" do not own the beaches or any public land, and I like to think that when I visit somewhere that I am welcome to use the local public land, providing I look after it."
A council spokeswoman said it was "not considering any proposals to introduce parking meters into foreshore areas".
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