PARKING meter fees in parts of the city need to be reduced, says Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
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Cr Nelmes voiced her concerns about inconsistent parking fees across Newcastle at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Cr Nelmes, along with other councillors, discussed the findings of a report recently commissioned by the council.
The report points out that demand for parking in many areas was generally higher than the practical capacity limit of 85 per cent.
The report, by Luxmoore Parking, highlighted high demand precincts often close to capacity such as Darby Street (96 per cent), The Junction (96 per cent), Hamilton (95 per cent) and the city centre (88 per cent).
The report recommended parking fee structures be revised, along with confusing parking signs.
It highlighted the need to ‘‘churn’’ over more cars in peak hours.
Newcastle council general manager Ken Gouldthorp said no more parking metres would be introduced to the city without first being presented to the elected council for approval.
He said the report simply set up a framework for future decisions on parking matters.
Many councillors were vocal about not supporting any more parking meters at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Councillors voted to endorse ‘‘strategic objectives’’ for parking in the city, including a short-term vision for more efficiency.