The New South Wales roads minister, John Graham, has accused a Sydney council of “taking the rest of us for mugs” after it proposed replacing illegal “residents only” parking with 15-minute restrictions near a popular beach.
Graham said the government would “make sure” Transport for NSW would exercise its veto powers to prevent Woollahra council from implementing 15-minute parking in spots around Watsons Bay.
It comes after senior counsel advised the council that the “residents only” parking scheme that had been in place around the beach for 50 years was actually illegal.
But Graham said a switch to a 15-minute time limit for visitors was “akin to speed dating”.
“Woollahra council either thinks trips to the beach are something akin to speed dating – or they are taking the rest of us for mugs with this 15-minute parking idea,” he said.
“It seems to be a clear signal to the rest of Sydney that you are not wanted here. The NSW government will make sure Transport for NSW exercises its veto to knock over this plan for speed parking and we will ensure a sensible solution is found that balances the needs of locals and visitors in one of Sydney’s most beautiful locations.”
The council decided earlier this week to replace 70 “residents only” car parks with “15-minute parking – permit holders excepted” spots, going against council staff recommendations of one-hour time limits.
The only councillor to oppose the plan, Residents First councillor Harriet Price, said the residents only parking spots “effectively privatised a public space”.
“Council did not need to waste ratepayers’ funds on legal advice to confirm this. Resident only parking effectively privatised a public space.
“We must better balance the competing needs of visitors and residents. The road is a public space and must be managed in a fair way. I do sympathise with residents. I hope that a new parking scheme can be introduced that better balances the needs of both residents and visitors.”
The Woollahra mayor, Richard Shields, denied that the new 15-minute restriction would essentially prevent non-residents from visiting the beach.
“Accessibility for everyone in Sydney to this unique beach is critical and is reflected by its status as one of the few without metered parking.
“We have endeavoured to find a parking solution both for local residents who don’t have off-street parking and for visitors ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer.
“The proposed change impacts a small percentage of parking spaces in Watsons Bay, with 87% of spaces still unrestricted parking.”
The principal lawyer at Astor Legal, Avinash Singh, said the parking scheme was “outrageous” and the “residents only” parking scheme was “really plainly unlawful”.
“A popular beach spot should be accessible to anyone, whether you are a resident or not.”
But Singh added it would be costly to contest any fine already paid.
“Anyone fined who hasn’t paid it yet would certainly have a case now, but if they have already paid it, there would be some practical difficulties in getting that money back,” he said on Friday.
“So there probably won’t be any historical claims, any attempt at getting back that money would probably cost multiple times how much the fine initially cost.”
