The consequences of that disastrous decision to impose parking meters on the citizens of Wollongong is now becoming apparent. The beating heart of this city is dieing ! We have an under performing Mall surrounded by a contingent of small businesses that have seen their customers decrease - and profits drop - since those meters became operational.
In sheer desperation the council is tinkering around the edges. There has been fine tuning of allowed timing. Now the move is away from that flat $2 fee to a more rational fee for time parked system.
It must be remembered that installing parking meters in Wollongong was not the product of a decision by an elected council. It was a decision made by a trio of flunkies appointed by the state government. These " administrators " were not of this city - and as " outsiders " they had no obligation to listen to the residents wishes. In all probability - an elected council would not have even considered installing parking meters.
It is clear that what is tolerable in metropolitan Sydney does not work in regional cities - as evidenced by the business downturn in Newcastle - which was similarly inflicted with parking meters and is fast become a " ghost city " of failed businesses.
Its time to " bite the bullet " and face reality.
Parking meters are a disaster in Wollongong and there is really only one solution - and that is to " rip them out ! "
Sure - we will face a financial loss, but it is better to face something that was forced upon us and rectify it - than to see our city centre fade to zero !
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