Paul Bibby
Paid parking could be implemented in Brunswick Heads by Christmas if a rescission motion by two of Byron’s Greens councillors is successful.
Mayor Simon Richardson and Councillor Jeanette Martin are seeking to reverse the decision, passed unanimously last week’s meeting, to defer any consideration of paid parking until next August.
Neither councillor was able to attend last week’s meeting for personal reasons.
Cr Richardson said that, should the rescission motion be successful, he will move that consideration of paid parking be brought forward to October this year in accordance with the recommendation of Council staff.
He also said that, if this motion was successful, he would be arguing in October for paid parking to be introduced on weekends and public holidays in time for the next summer peak season.
‘We believe we’ve done as much as we can to allay the concerns,’ Cr Richardson said.
‘We already delayed making a decision, we got an economic impact report, we’ve had workshops and meetings – I think we’ve done our due diligence.
‘People who fear it are never going to accept any of the data we generate, but I think it’s pretty clear.
The opponents of paid parking, lead by Brunswick Heads Chamber of Commerce, say that paid parking would have a negative economic impact on the town at a time when it has already been hit hard by COVID-19.
They say that the figures showing very high parking occupancy rates in Brunswick Heads are inflated, and that the economic analysis commissioned by council is inaccurate.
The success or failure of the rescission motion will depend on the two remaining Greens councillors, Michael Lyon and Sarah Ndiaye, and independent councillor Cate Coorey.
The remaining four councillors are almost certain to oppose it.
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