LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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My pay rate has just been reduced by $3 an hour and I now cannot afford to park my car near my workplace. I can't walk the multitude of blocks to my car after 8 to 12 hours on my feet as a nurse.
I am nearly crippled after 5 shifts. I can't ride a bike for the majority of the year due to the weather as I am in a professional position and we do not have the facilities to shower and get ready for work after a cold wet ride in.
I bet city councillors won't have the same issues.
Emma Vanderwalle, Bonshaw.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARKING OVERHAUL? HAVE YOUR SAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ARTICLE
There's been a lot of negativity about the new parking plan now that it is in place.
However, earlier this week for the first time in a long time I decided to go to Central Square for a look around, instead of going to Stockland with its free, off-street parking.
I got a park on the street directly out the front of the centre, went in and spent some money and came out within the free hour without having to pay a cent in parking.
This new parking plan is definitely going to entice me to visit the CBD more often.
Matthew Faravoni, Wendouree.
This new parking is a disgrace; just another way to raise more revenue and push people out of the CBD.
It is discriminatory to the elderly in our community due to being hard to use and understand.
It used to cost $2 per hour and now costs $3 per hour even taking into account that the first hour is free.
If you park for 20 minutes in a park and you move your car to another street and park again (at another time of day) you have used up your free hour and must pay.
It is completely confusing and ridiculous.
I won't be shopping in the CBD again and will go where parking is free.
There will be lots more empty shops in the CBD as a result.
Phil Johnson, Alfredton.
So many details have not been well-thought out.
The machines are far too few and far between.
It must be possible to use a direct debit card as well as credit cards.
Some areas have not yet had machines installed in place of the old ones and people are walking up and down the street trying to find the meter, fearing that there is one out of sight, when in fact it has not yet been installed.
Gwendoline Blake, Mount Clear.
The new parking system in Ballarat is just outrageous, I will no longer be going into town to do any sort of shopping and will go up Wendouree instead.
Congratulations on destroying the local businesses in the Bridge Mall and Sturt Street which are already struggling.
Also, people who work in these local businesses on a minimum wage cop it once again.
Grace Nicol, Mount Pleasant.
The new parking plan is about to be rolled out and now I worry about how I can afford to park in the CBD for work.
The new parking plan feels like they're trying to promote shopping in the CBD but also ripping off the people who work there. Costing $22 a day for parking when I only earn $22 an hour to work in the CBD is ridiculous.
I feel the council needs to review its prices or allow people to apply for a permit to prove they work in the CBD and subsidise parking.
Ellie Youl, Bunkers Hill.
As a rate payer I am outraged that this system has been implemented.
I think it's ridiculous that the older generation are expected to download apps to their phone, as some meters will only accept cards.
Therefore are limiting where older people will be limited to where they can park.
Darren O'Hagan, Smythes Creek.