A New "Consent " Demand !

It is well known that the Sydney Lord Mayor would like to chase cars out of the city and get people riding bikes as their prime means of transport and council has ripped up 660 parking spaces to create more inner city cycling lanes, but now a new tactic has the restaurant trade wondering if it is being singled out as part of this "no cars "" plan.

Redfern is becoming a trendy inner city suburb and on street parking is scarce, but the developers planning a big new restaurant were astonished to find what they consider a bizarre demand attached to the consent required by council for it's approval.

They will have to provide a "Green Travel Plan ""  designed to discourage patrons from travelling to the restaurant by car and they will be required to monitor the means of transport diners use and submit an annual report.  Presumably,  reception will need to advise those booking for a meal of this restriction, although it is not clear whether conditions will apply to those who ignore the warning and arrive in their private car.

It certainly breaks new ground.  In this case, the consent needed to establish a new eating place in the city is being held hostage to the means of transport it's customers will use.  It will involve rather intrusive questioning at the time of booking and some arriving at the door may take umbrage at being asked their travel plans.  Even when the greatest tact is used, this may rub a raw nerve with some people.

The civil liberties crowd will certainly question whether council has the right to impose this demand in exchange for allowing the establishment of a public facility in this city.  There are many existing restaurants in and around Redfern and they will not be obliged to maintain such a register - nor compile an annual report.  It is an imposition that could affect the economic viability of trying to establish a new clientele in an existing competitive market.

We are spending a lot of public money reintroducing trams to this city and work is underway extending the rail network.  Running in tandem is the massive West Connex highway extension to speed road traffic in and out of the CBD and all this raises the question of just who has the responsibility for car parking space.

It could be construed that councils are making an end play to force the use of public transport by making travel intentions of customers an item in gaining project assent.   Access is certainly a limitation that any developer would take into consideration when planning a project but that is a commercial decision and should not be rejected or approved on the whim of a council.

Basically, a lack of available parking presents an investment opportunity for the financial world.  The aspect of free kerbside parking belonged to a distant age and now most kerb space is metered or time restrictions apply.  In many cases refitting an aged building as a parking station for cars will return a far greater profit than merely offering it for rent as a site for offices or warehousing.   If the demand for parking is consistent and over a long period that is a commercial decision that would be attractive to superannuation or investment fund managers.

Perhaps it is becoming unrealistic for people to expect to park their cars for free in the city when they dine or attend a cultural event. There is the risk of returning to find their valuable vehicle stolen or damaged and there would be appeal in paying a few dollars to have it safely stored under the watchful care of guards - and from where it can be accessed with the personal safety of the driver and guests assured.

It all seems to come down to a clash of wills between some people who want to use force to change driving habits and the reluctance of many to change their ways.  When parking becomes a nightmare some will seek a public transport remedy, while others will simply avoid that area and go someplace else.   That is where the skill of the entrepreneur comes into play.   Those that make their product so appealing that rejection is not an option either manage to sway their customers to the public transport option, or the demand induces another entrepreneur to provide off street parking facilities.

The last thing this city needs is a council interfering in commercial decisions !