Mayor calls for change to Cessnock parking rules

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal has written to the Transport Minister and Cessnock MP Clayton Barr in the hopes of changing a controversial parking rule.

The Council's seeking an exemption to a parking rule, which bans people from parking on footpaths and nature strips.

"We are asking the Minister to consider a common-sense approach that would allow Councils to put in place rules that suit local conditions," Cr Suvaal said.   

"Within the Cessnock Local Government Area, there are many villages and rural communities where parking on the nature strip does not present a risk to other vehicles or pedestrians."

Council was required to abandon a 'three-metre rule' policy in 2021, which allowed people to park on the nature strip if there was no kerb and the vehicle was at least three metres from the property boundary.

Maitland Council Proposes New Plan to Solve City Centre Parking Dilemma

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Maitland Council has put forward a new plan to tackle parking issues in the city centre, allowing workers to use off-street parking and saving popular spots for short-term visitors.

The report comes following a survey in which respondents complained works in the Levee redevelopment had led to a loss of spaces and that parking restrictions were not strongly enforced.

The Central Maitland Parking Study Draft Report was released on Thursday, encouraging council to emphasise short-term parking spaces to increase visitor turnover in the city.

The plan also suggested reducing the amount of paid parking while keeping fees at the same rate, as well as forcing new developments to provide adequate parking for their own demand.

The public have until the 11th of April to add their thoughts at https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/maitland-your-say/engagements/central-maitland-parking-study.

Image credit: Maitland City Council

Newcastle Council says City's Parking Problems Due to Management, Not Supply

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A nine-year parking plan was adopted at Newcastle Council's Tuesday night meeting, which is unlikely to see the creation of new spaces. 

The Council says parking problems across the city are a result of how the spaces are managed, not a lack of supply.

The plan rules out adding any more parking meters in the city, however could see parking costs increased in high demand areas, and lowered in underutilized spots, as well as reduced parking where strong public transport links exist. 

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says building just one new carpark in Newcastle costs between $50,000 and $126,000. 

"They're phenomenal sums of money and it means we need to think very carefully about our investment decisions, and try to better utilise the parking which is already available before we rush into new expensive operations which will cost rate-payers millions of dollars." 

"Overall there remains quite a number of vacant spots, especially at places like the No.2 Sportsground located a five-minute walk from the CBD, which as of yesterday only had about a 20% occupancy."

The proposal also suggests reviewing time restrictions in central business and shopping districts to ensure turn over, and prevent people parking in front of shops and restaurants for excessive amounts of time. 

The locations where changes will be implemented are yet to be determined, but Mr Clausen says it's not about making rushed decisions. 

However, Cooks Hill, The Hill, Newcastle East, City East, The Foreshore and Hamilton were all identified as often passing 85 per cent capacity, and were likely locations where time limits and paid parking, or increased fees for existing paid parking could be introduced. 

The Council is also looking at how the proceeds of parking meters can be directly re-invested into the areas they are located. 

"I think that will make a huge difference in people's perception of paying for parking, I don't think any Novacastrian likes paying for parking, but I think it's a real innovation to see the money re-invested in local precincts, rather than into some sort of consolidated revenue."  

The proposal also looks at ways to decrease the number of people driving into town on their own, by promoting ride-sharing, cycling and working from home, as well promoting the continued use of the easy-park app.

Image Credit: Newcastle Herald 

Parking Change Possible for Popular Eat Street

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

There are just 10 days left to have your say on proposed changes to parking on and around Darby Street, Cooks Hill.

City of Newcastle is looking at extending the hours of timed parking on weekdays and Sundays and removing unrestricted parking in some surrounding streets, as well as increasing 1-hour parking zones to 2 hours.

It's not yet known whether the changes would have a positive or negative effect on cafes and shops, with owners, employees and members of the public encouraged to make submissions on Council's website.

The Hunter Business Chamber says the idea hasn't come out of nowhere, with initial consultations pointing to a positive reception from Newcastle businesses.

"Part of the problem was we had different sides of the street on different time periods," Chamber CEO Bob Hawes explained, "that did require harmonisation and it was a question of whether to go to one hour or two, and obviously the Darby Street precinct has strong recognition for cafe culture and meals - sometimes one hour is a bit tight."

There are some concerns however that employees at those cafes and shops will be left with nowhere to park for the day.

Bob Hawes believes it would be a worthwhile sacrifice.

"What this is doing is pushing some of the unrestricted areas out a little bit further from the central core of the Darby Street precinct, so definitely for workers who are needing to park for a longer period of time, they're going to have to walk further - there's no doubt about that," he said, "but this is about striking a balance between the needs of residents, patrons to businesses and workers."

Submissions are open until November 12th.

Image: Pinterest. 

NCC launches app to relieve parking stress

BY TYLER FARDELL

Parking meters across Newcastle could be a thing of the past, with the launch of a new app from Newcastle City Council.

The Easypark app allows users to start a parking session, extend it if needed and end it immediately through their phone when they return to their car.

Users must register their vehicle's number plate with Council for the app to work.

This new parking technology is the first of its kind to be rolled out by a NSW Council.

The app also enables users to pay for their park and ride service, just in time for the end of the free introductory period, meaning users will now be paid a daily fee of $2.20.