News & Offers

FREE parking has finally come to Burleigh Heads after years of community angst but no one knows quite where to find it.

Yesterday, two off-street carparks had parking meters removed to allow free parking for locals and visitors as part of a seven-month council trial.

However, a lack of signs caused confusion as uninformed drivers continued to jostle for on-street parks with hourly ticket fees while the carparks remained mostly deserted.

New signs indicating the free parks will be erected late today or early tomorrow at the Gordon and Jean Duncan Carpark, in Park Avenue, and in the southern end of the Alex Black Carpark in Connor Street.

The Duncan carpark, which has pedestrian access to busy James Street, will be zoned two hours free parking.

Burleigh Heads councillor Greg Betts said the previous parking fees in the two off-street sites had made them unpopular and had led to local workers clogging up nearby residential streets and walking in to work.

He hoped the trial would relieve the pressure on residential streets and bring more customers into the CBD.

"This is a good result for Burleigh and, hopefully, it will give people a new parking option when they are in the village," he said.

However, Cr Betts said there was no chance the trial would be extended to on-street parking.

"The only reason I convinced councillors to allow this trial was because the off-street car parks were under used and not bringing in much revenue," he said.

He said the on-street parking meters generated around $300,000 a year and would continue to operate during the trial.

All on-street parking in the CBD will continue to be metered at 80c an hour and the northern half of the Alex Black Carpark at 50c an hour.

Yesterday, shop owners and customers were surprised to learn about the free parking trial.

Local Kristy-Lee Campton stopped for a coffee in James Street and forked out a parking fee before learning of the 40 free parking spots just one street away in Park Avenue.

"I had no idea that existed but I will definitely park there in the future," she said.

Lisette Minisini from Carmel's Designs said she hoped the free parking would bring in more shoppers.

"Anything that draws more customers and gives Burleigh Heads positive publicity is a good thing," she said.

Mycenae Jewellery Creations director Paul McCormack said he was pleased with any council action to improve the area's village atmosphere.

Leah Fineran   
November 4th, 2009
www.goldcoast.com.au