Mark Parton
WORKERS in the parliamentary triangle breathed a sigh of relief with news that their impending date with parking police destiny had been delayed.
P-Day had been set down for July 1, but the National Capital Authority says they’re not ready to go by then. According to Malcolm Snow, from the NCA, they underestimated the work required to get this system up and running.
I’ve lost friends over my position on parking in the triangle.
I just want someone to give me a reason as to why this sacred part of Australia should remain a free parking haven other than “well, it’s always been free”. The lack of retail services in the triangle doesn’t really cut it for me, either.
I get sick of the public service components of our country existing in a bubble, seemingly untouched by commercial reality. In the mainly private sector town centres, you must pay to park your car, so why shouldn’t you have to pay just because you happen to be in the shadow of Parliament House.
I’m not attacking public servants because I think those who are left are hard-working individuals who are just trying to do their jobs well and pay their mortgages. I understand that some will face a new financial impost through no fault of their own, but I think they should feel lucky for the grace they’ve had up until now.
For me, the biggest reason for its introduction is that it’s nigh on impossible to find casual parking in the triangle. That will instantly change when the parking inspectors appear.
I’ve spoken to triangle workers on my radio program who tell me it’s going to change their lives because they can’t afford the new charges and they’ll have to park kilometres away and walk. Welcome to the real world.
I’m worried about two things. I don’t know that Action buses has the capacity to respond to the changes in a way that will accommodate potentially hundreds of new commuters. And I worry about those residents on the fringe of the triangle who, despite some new restrictions announced last month, will surely feel the curse of office workers parked at the front of their homes.
Mark Parton is the breakfast announcer on 2CC
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