Many inner city residents stand to lose their resident parking permits as thousands of currently free parking spaces in the inner city become metered, the local councillor has warned.
Central Ward councillor David Hinchliffe said the new meters, which have already been installed in Newstead, Bowen Hills, the Valley, Kelvin Grove and Herston, would net the council more than $16 million extra a year from motorists and residents.
“For residents to be eligible for parking permits they have to prove to council that they have no space off street to park their cars,” Cr Hinchliffe said.
“If residents are eligible, only some of the metered spaces will be available for permit holders for free. If the spaces are taken, residents will have to pay.
“Council endorsed the Lord Mayor’s new Regulated Parking Permit Local Law that states ‘residents will need to demonstrate that they do not have any provision for off-street parking or the vehicle cannot be physically accommodated off street’.
“Currently, residents can apply for two parking permits annually for free. One permit is for the property owner and one for visitors and/or the second car.
“The Lord Mayor has said he has no intention of introducing fees for parking permits.”
Councillor Hinchliffe said the Lord Mayor should have supported his amendment to the changes making it official council policy not to charge for permits. “The Lord Mayor and LNP councillors voted against making that a policy.
"So you have to wonder about their long-term plans.”
• Comment on the issue was sought from the Lord Mayor’s office, but no response had been received as this issue went to press.
