Parks aplenty as fees take effect

A council worker helps a driver decide which zone to head for.

Sharyn O'Neill

THERE were hundreds of empty spaces at Rockhampton Airport yesterday afternoon – the first day of paid car parking – prompting the question: “Where did all the cars go?”

For years frustrated visitors to the airport have faced the daunting prospect of cruising the lanes in an often fruitless search for a place to leave their vehicle.

But there was no such trouble yesterday.

“This is brilliant,” said Olivia Oram from Pink Lily, who arrived to pick someone up. “I've never been able to park two rows back from the terminal before. I'm really happy with it.”

The sentiment was shared by Lenore Benn, despite a touch of confusion which led her to park in the long-term section by mistake. Lenore was so impressed she said it would be wonderful if the same payment system was introduced at Rockhampton Hospital.

“Nobody can find a park there. I don't mind paying,” she said.

There were opposing views expressed. Laurie Miller, who got a friend to drop him off from Yeppoon, was on his way to Melbourne.

“I am amazed that something that was working has been changed. I liked it the way it was, but I suppose we will just have to get used to it.”

And Jenny Sloan, in Rockhampton from Mt Isa for a school sports tournament, said she couldn't work out why her fee was $6 for parking for a little over an hour to see off a friend.

“I thought I had been here for less than an hour. But I suppose it's not too bad.”

John Pellow from Rockhampton drove a friend to the airport and was impressed that there were so many spaces available.

“The signs are a bit confusing, but I don't have a problem with paying for parking. I would like the grace period to be more than 15 minutes, but it's a lot better now that the bays aren't so full.”

Council staff manned the entrances and directed drivers to the sections that best suited their needs. They also issued little booklets with information on the different zones, a full schedule of charges and how to pay.

Even the taxi rank looked less busy than it normally would.

Cab owner/driver Kelvin Grice said in time he expected paid parking to generate more work for taxis, but there was no sign of a bonanza just yet.

“It's been pretty quiet,” he said.

“I've not seen the car park as empty as this. I suppose a lot of people who used to leave their cars for weeks on end have removed them.”

The payment system is expected to raise at least $1 million a year for Council.

Planning permission has been given for a rival, privately-run car park nearby.

How much?

Short-term rates vary from $2 for 30 minutes to $20 for up to nine hours. The first 15 minutes is free.

Premium Long Term is $13 a day or $91 a week.

Standard Long Term is $10 a day, $54 a week, reducing to $3 a day after 10 days.

For more information, call 1300 22 55 77.