Bronte Cutting Meters A Cause For Concern

By Ben Graham on August 9, 2013 in News

Photo: Waverley Library Local Studies

Punters at Bronte Beach will pay less when parking for fewer than four hours under planned changes to the Bronte Cutting car park.

From December, Waverley Council will trial a $3.50 hourly rate with a $15 daily cap for those without beach parking permits.

The current cost for non-permit holders is a $15 flat rate.

The proposal will see the manned booth replaced with 10 parking meters, which has drawn criticism from residents, councillors and business owners.

But Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said the new system would be more cost effective and create cheaper parking for some visitors.

“The current situation at Bronte Cutting car park is unsustainable, insecure and would need considerable expense to be maintained,” Cr Betts said.

“Parking meters cost less to run and see a greater return because, unlike the manned system, staff resources aren’t constantly required during operation.”

Labor councillor Paula Masselos said the changes would be pointless.

“The whole idea of this new system was to save money and increase the turnover of parking spaces,” Cr Masselos said.

“After the installation costs for the meters, they are actually collecting less money from beach-goers, so the only ‘improvement’ I can see is a job loss.”

Some locals, like Calum McConville for example, fear that the one-year trial of cheaper rates is just to soften the blow for future price increases and time constraints.

Waverley Council has discussed introducing a four-hour time limit for non-permit holders after the trial period.

“Four hours isn’t really long enough for families who have travelled a long way,” Mr McConville said. “We want to be encouraging people to visit our beach, not drive them away with time limits.”

Bronte café and restaurant owner Sandy Bruns said that more needed to be done to attract people to the beach during winter.

“I look out of my window now and almost all the parking spaces are empty, so something needs to be done to support businesses in the area,” Ms Bruns said.

The changes will have no effect on beach parking permit holders