SUTHERLAND Shire Council has released details of a new resident-parking scheme to be trialled in three areas over 12 months.
Under the scheme, which could be a blueprint for possible wider future use, residents would receive a car sticker excluding them from restricted timed parking applying to other motorists.
The areas and parking limits for non-residents include:
- Around Sutherland and Kareena Private hospitals: two hours, 7am-6pm, Monday-Friday.
- Nerang Road and the adjacent part of Elouera Road, North Cronulla: four hours, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
- around Inaburra School, Bangor: two hours, 8.30am-10pm, Monday-Friday.
A spokeswoman said the council, at its May 13 meeting, had endorsed the trial, subject to community consultation.
Residents were due to receive a letter containing maps and site-specific details early this week. Feedback was also being sought through an advertisement in the Leader.
‘‘Once the community consultation has been completed, the results will be evaluated and a further report to council will be undertaken via the Sutherland traffic and traffic safety committee,’’ she said.
The council said the areas caused concern about the availability of on-street parking for residents or ‘‘intrusion’’ of long-term parking.
Restrictions in the area around the hospitals, where many staff parked, would ‘‘encourage carpooling and/or alternative modes of transport’’, the council said.
Under the scheme, each household would be eligible for a maximum of two or three permits, depending on the area, minus the number of on-site parking spaces on the property.
Permits would be non-transferable and vehicles, except those used for work, would have to be registered at the address within the parking scheme.
Trailers and boats would not be eligible.
The council said permits would need to be renewed every two years, although this was to be confirmed.
A permit would not guarantee the availability of an on-street parking space.
RESIDENT APPLAUDS MOVE
MIRANDA resident Paul Mathews said the proposed trial was ‘‘common sense’’.
Mr Mathews carried out his own survey, which found that on a typical weekday 820 cars were parked without restriction in streets near Sutherland and Kareena Private hospitals, affecting 491 homes.
In a letter to the council, Mr Mathews said the new multi-level car park being built at Sutherland Hospital would not solve the problem.
‘‘Hospital staff have refused to pay the last two increases [for existing on-site parking] and the $21 a week proposed will no doubt be refused,’’ he said.
Mr Mathews said the situation would be exacerbated by the expansion of Kareena Private Hospital and the introduction of paid parking at Westfield Miranda.
Acting director of operations at St George and Sutherland hospitals Martin Mackertich said the new four-level multi-storey car park and extra ground-level parking would increase the number of on-site spaces from about 700 to more than 1000.
He said Sutherland Hospital was phasing in increased parking charges for staff and visitors that was in line with NSW Health policy. Staff will pay $21.60 a week and visitor parking will be timed, he said.
What do you think of the trial, and would you like to see the scheme extended to other areas?
