7th September 2019 – Lloyd Gorman – POST.
A 12-month trial for one hour free parking along Hay Street, between Outram and Havelock streets, kicks off on Monday.
“It’s common sense at last,” Joe’s Bakery owner Joe Bohagriar said.
“Until now if you wanted to park here for two minutes and nip into the shop it would cost you $2.60 and most people took their chances, but if they got caught that sausage roll would cost you $80.
“This will change the whole dynamic and help retailers.”
Joe’s opened in West Perth 40 years ago next Thursday.
“We have lost a lot of trade here,” he said.
“Ten or 15 years ago the whole street would be full and as soon as one car would pull out of a parking bay, another one would take its place.”
The West Perth Local Group – made up of residents and business owners – campaigned for the parking change because it kept coming up as an issue.
“We really hope it’s going to have a positive impact on the community and encourage more people to come down to the west end and support businesses,” a group spokesperson said.
It is the third free parking trial put into place by Perth City Council this year, with previous ones in Hay Street, Claisebrook, and East Perth.
Sandra Arnold, manager of parking at Perth City Council said early indications from the other trials were that it did encourage people into the area and help retailers.
Original Source: https://postnewspapers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/07092019.pdf