Seeking the parking truth in Bunbury

BUSINESSES and consumers will be given a voice on the contentious topic of parking meters when surveys are handed out across the CBD.

The Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries will kick off the feedback process by distributing surveys to businesses by the end of next week.

Chamber chief executive officer Andrew Horan said this was a vital step in working towards a solution that suited everyone.

“It is critically important that we gather information from all the businesses across the CBD to get a really good understanding of how paid parking affects businesses and consumers,” Mr Horan said.

“Then we can provide guidance to the City of Bunbury of the changes that are needed.”

Mr Horan said the survey would ask questions about how parking relates to the business and its staff in terms of convenience and availability.

It would also include questions which related to the consumers of the business, for example where they park and how long they need to stay in one bay.

An investigation into paid parking by the Bunbury Mail showed that Bunbury was a more expensive place to park than seven out of 10 cities surveyed.

Mr Horan said there were massive differences across Australia from city to city.

“The question is whether the particular situations are working in that city or is there congestion.”

Eyeswest optometrist Janelle Coates opened her business in Victoria Street three weeks ago and said she was pleased to have the opportunity to provide feedback.

“It’s a very positive move for Bunbury, it’s an inclusive way to let us have our say and then we can move forward together as a business community,” Mrs Coates said.

The business survey will be followed by a street survey of consumers.

Mayor David Smith said the information would be collected by the Chamber before being forwarded to council’s parking committee to make recommendations for change.

Mayor Smith said he opposed extending paid parking to Thursday nights and said providing one hour free on-street parking would destroy the churn of customers that the system was designed to create.