Western Australia’s powerhouse economy has been blamed for increasing the cost of parking in Perth’s central business district which, according a global survey, is among the world’s top ten most expensive CBD’s in which to park.
Western Australia’s powerhouse economy has been blamed for increasing the cost of parking in Perth’s central business district which, according a global survey, is among the world’s top ten most expensive CBD’s in which to park.
The third annual Colliers International Global CBD Parking Rate Survey highlighted increases to Perth’s CBD parking rates, rendering it the seventh priciest city on the planet to park a car.
This week’s survey revealed the average daily rate charged in Perth’s core CBD grew seven per cent to $US24.87 in the past year, up from $US23.25, while the unreserved monthly rate has lifted almost nine per cent to $US563.37 (up from $US517.16).
This monthly figure puts Perth at number seven in the global top ten, beaten by Sydney in position number six ($US591.28 per month). Brisbane finished in position 14 ($US469.47) and Melbourne at number 32 ($US296.07).
When compared to the mid-2008 rates, Perth’s median daily price leapt 65 per cent over the two-year period, but Colliers International WA research consultancy manager Erwin Edlinger said this increase was misleading.
“In 2009 and 2010, we’ve surveyed only carparks in the core CBD area (and not those found on the fringes of the CBD), so in the case of Perth it’s more accurate to look at the change over the past 12 months,” he said.
“It’s fair to say Perth’s mining boom has seen the cost of living go up across the board in the city over the past couple of years, but we don’t anticipate any real substantial increases in parking rates in the foreseeable future.”
RAC head of member advocacy Matt Brown does not agree.
“It’s a reflection of the boom economy and a reflection of the general affluence of Perth but it’s only going to get worse,” he said.
Mr Brown pointed out that a key strategy of the City of Perth’s Urban Design Framework suggested parking should become less convenient and more costly to try and encourage greater use of public transport.
“Perth’s public transport is already under stress, and it’s a nice theory, but the reality is for a good percentage of workers public transport is not an option,” he said.
“The City of Perth's mantra is pedestrians first, public transport second and cars last.”
City of Perth chief executive Frank Edwards defended the city’s fee structure, suggesting it’s designed to ensure there is space available for short-term stays, and blamed the state government’s increased parking levy that providers must pay on each bay they operate for the result.
“The city estimates that this added between $1.60 and $3 extra per day, or 50 cents an hour, per day,” Mr Edwards said.
