Newcastle Lord Mayoral candidate Jeff McCloy is pushing for city-wide parking reform after it was revealed council is considering restricting parking at the Number 1 Sports Ground.
Mr McCloy is dismissing Council documentation which suggests cars are damaging grass and tree root systems by parking off-street around the venue.
The developer-turned-candidate has promised reduced metre hours and reduce the number of paid parking zones if elected.
He says the current parking regime is putting an unfair burden on recreation around the city.
"I think there shouldn't be any parking metres on Saturday and Sunday in the city." He said.
"You've got people going to church getting fines parking in Hunter Street and people playing netball are being fined."
"Saturday and Sunday are not great days of commerce and parking should be free on the streets of Newcastle."
