Parking Meters Shouldn't Slug Morning Surfers 
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Monday 9 July 2007 Free parking should be offered at the beachfront until 9am to stop local surfers being slugged with fines, said Member for Manly Mike Baird. “New figures from the NSW Chamber of Commerce reveal Manly ranks eighth in the state for revenue raised from parking fines and meters, with Council receiving $4.4 million last year. “Manly Council has said it’s planning a trial of reduced fees but it could do more by not starting beach-front parking meters until two hours later to give local surfers and early-rising families some leeway,” Mr Baird said. “The lifestyle in Manly revolves around the beaches and locals should be able to enjoy it without the impost of parking meters and fines.” Surfer Beau Mitchell grew up in Manly Vale and drives each morning to Manly to surf. This year alone he has received five parking fines of $77 each. “It is definitely a stress, trying to get around the parking issue each morning. I usually try to park in a mate’s driveway but sometimes I can’t. I’ve got two fines I’m due to pay at the moment,” Mr Mitchell said. Mr Baird said parking should not be a revenue raiser for Councils and that the State Government is also benefiting through parking taxes. “Parking shouldn’t be a hidden tax. Everyone accepts there needs to be some system of paying for parking but at the moment the system is punishing residents who are trying to enjoy their local environment,” Mr Baird said. The business chamber’s research found that the State Government reaped $51 million in parking taxes in the last financial year. Add to:          Write Comment
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