That’s it. I’ve had it. Time to throw my seven cents into the ring, and oh hot damn I hope you’re ready. Firstly, the new Uni building in town honestly looks fantastic and I really do think it’s the breath of fresh air Hunter Street needed. Innovation is a good thing, and at risk of sounding like a politician; yes we are in a period of growth and change and despite being a Novocastrian myself, I do believe it’s a good thing. But, the whole thing kind of needs to work within a delicate balance. With one, must come the other so yes, finally it’s time I threw my hat into the ring and gave my two cents on Parking.
I’m all for supporting people who have the courage to voice their opinion. It takes guts and determination and doing so in the right fashion is how wonderful discussions are started. But, opinions are based on personal experienced and backed by education, at least they should be. I read something the other day that was based on neither. And here’s my statement.
You cannot comment, on the parking situation in town, unless you are actively engaging in the parking situation in town. You just can’t.
Now I’m all for a sustainable city, and I always try and walk, ride, skate, bus wherever and whenever I can. But as good as the public transport intentions are, the actual execution of the system is woeful. You simply can’t rely on it for anything of importance. Especially not to the point that is being inferred by the person who offered up their opinion. Someone who I’m assuming, is neither a Uni student, or an inner city resident.
I live right in the centre of controversy. As one of Newcastle’s oldest streets, Watt Street is also the most talked about especially with the man made mess that is the construction site lining the entire thing. For anyone else that lives anywhere near here, we all know parking is a red hot issue. And by issue I mean there is simply no where to park. There have been many times, when I’ve finished work at 1 or 2am and have left my car in either King Edward Park, or the Nobbys Beach carpark (back when there was a carpark) and walked home. All to avoid the $108 fine. I’ll level with you here, I’ve had a couple of close and scary calls.
When I enquired about a residential permit, I was told ever so lovingly by the council that the paid parking system is only from 9-5 and therefore convenient for everyone. Yeah sure, every resident who works 9-5 but that, thankfully, isn’t me. I get it, this whole shebang isn’t about residential parking, but it absolutely is just another symptom of the sore point. I want to know, for those who work in the city, are you paying $8 a day, five days a week, 48 weeks of the year, for parking? That’s only if you can find a spot, regardless of whether you’re paying for it or not. I don’t know about you, but I honestly can’t afford that. It’s that simple a reality.
It’s not about expecting a parking station close to our destination, we just want adequate parking. Honestly I feel like I’m even beyond complaining about the situation, because complaining only works, where there is active discussion around a solution to the exact problem you’re complaining about. It’s all well and good to talk about the dream of an accessible city, and spin yarns about moving forward but we’re after some practicality.
Is that really too much to ask? Because I am in the “new, real world” already. I just want to be able to park there, too.
