Campaspe Shire Council has increased fees for on and off-street parking by 10 cents per hour and off-street quarterly parking permits for businesses by $136 as part of the 2020-21 budget.
The more than 50 per cent increase in the cost of the quarterly permits — from $220 to $336 — was a move that outraged businesses owners who have reopened after the COVID-19 lock-down and are still adapting to their new normal.
“It’s ridiculous. We manage a number of commercial properties and many tenants are currently paying little to no rent or heavily subsidised leases because of the financial hit they’ve taken,” Charles L King & Co First National director Gary Wood said.
“In my business, my people are in and out all day, they’re not parking long-term and so it just doesn’t add up.”
Immediately surrounding the Nish St car park are more than two dozen businesses including retail, gyms, cafés, hair and beauty shopfronts and bar/bistros, all of which were subject to statewide lock-down restrictions.
Trilogy For Hair owners Andrea Young and Briarna Burns said coming out of trading restrictions was tough enough.
“It’s a bit steep. Why up the price at a car park that locals use but have free parking on High St? Is keeping tourists more important than keeping the businesses they’re coming to visit?” Ms Young said.
“We’ve purchased one for the past four years but we can’t see ourselves getting one now,” Mrs Burns said.
“We’re parking at the free all-day parking, but some nights we’re leaving at 9 pm and it’s a long walk in the dark, it’s not safe.”
Bite Me Deli owner Kate Cunningham said parking before the metered parking times and leaving multiple times throughout the day meant the increased permits weren’t as valuable.
“I just use PayStay now because I need my car close to do deliveries for my business, and I’m usually out by 3 pm to get the kids from school, so it works out to be cheaper — when you remember to turn it off,” she said.
“The shop closed for five weeks when restrictions were first imposed and we’re slowly getting back to normal.
“But it’s disappointing that we’re not seeing that support for our businesses from council considering the support from a state and federal level.”
The Tweeny’s owner Michelle Garrett said when she heard of the price increase she wasn’t fazed, until she was told the amount.
“It’s hard on business, we’re struggling to make ends meet. I heard and thought, ‘Oh yes, it’s probably $20-30 which is okay’ — but a more than $100 a quarter increase in one jump is a lot,” she said.
“It’s a lot of product to sell to make up the difference.”
With the argument that staff and businesses could find free all-day parking just outside the CBD, Ms Garrett echoed the business community’s concerns.
“It’s impractical. I use the parking all-day, six days a week because it is so much closer and I’m often bringing things into the store or taking them out to my car. It’s a long way to carry things to the free parking,” she said.
“I don’t expect it all for nothing, but it’s hard enough at this time.”
Campaspe Shire Council's acting regulatory and community services general manager Kate Lemon said there were a number of parking options.
“A quarterly parking permit is not mandatory, individuals and businesses can choose the option that best suits their needs or use free long-term car parking, provided by the council, including Goldie car park, Mann car park, Sturt St car park and a number of other areas adjoining the CBD,” she said.
“Quarterly off-street parking permits currently provide a 50 per cent discount, at 70 cents per hour, covering a 12-week period. At the hourly rate, the cost of parking across 12 weeks is $672, while quarterly parking permits are $336.”
Echuca Moama Business and Trades president Daniel Mackrell said support for business should be the basis of decision-making.
“Forward thinking by everyone should be a priority, everyone is doing it tough and Echuca could be down in lock-down once again,” he said.
“We are the only town in the Campaspe Shire that has paid parking, and where does the money go?
“Safety has been raised as an issue with the all-day free parking in Sturt St; there should be a plan to make it more accessible, safe and attractive.
“Possibly because we are in Echuca, the council is starting to forget that we are the economic hub of the area and looking after it should be a priority.”
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