Visitor play smart parking is being rolled out in Blackheath, Katoomba, Leura and Wentworth Falls town centres in July.
Council’s new parking scheme is rolling out in these centres where time parking restrictions already exist. You can online. See:
The elected Council is expected to endorse a reduced price of $1 per 15 minutes ($4 per hour) off peak and $1.50 ($6 an hour) peak for visitors at these locations, when the Fees & Charges 2023-2024 is endorsed at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, 27 June.
Blue Mountains residents, ratepayers, businesses and their employees will not have to pay to park at these locations. Although, they will need to adhere to the current time restrictions, as they are supposed to do now.
Permits will be available for Blue Mountains residents, ratepayers, businesses and their employees for FREE parking, when Stage 1 of the Visitor Pay Smart Parking Scheme commences.
Carer Permits will also be available for FREE parking for those who live outside the Blue Mountains and care for a local resident, as well as for contractors who are temporarily working in the Blue Mountains.
There will be a 3-month registration period, from July to 30 September 2023, to enable those eligible to apply for the free parking permits before compliance activity commences.
All permits will be digital and accessible via an online portal. Those who are not comfortable with applying for these online, will be able to contact Council’s Customer Contact Centre (via phone or in person at Katoomba or Springwood offices) for assistance.
An App, that will also launch for Stage 1 of the scheme, will show real-time parking availability and take payments from visitors only.
Signage has been installed in the Stage 1 locations in preparation for the new scheme. Parking meters will soon be installed. Unique designs have been created for the meters – so they are distinct to the Blue Mountains.
Sensors only will be installed in Glenbrook town centre in Stage 1, in order to analyse current traffic turnover given its proximity to Penrith.
Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “Our residents, ratepayers, businesses and employees will not pay for parking. The 3-month transition period will give our community time to access these free permits.
“This new plan means that visitors will help fund the critically-required renewal of services, facilities and infrastructure including the repair of the road network after natural disasters. Currently, this burden falls on our ratepayers and it is not fair.
“Visitor paid parking is common around Australia and overseas – particularly for those destinations that have high visitation, like the Blue Mountains.
“Over time, income from the new visitor paid parking scheme means Council will be able to invest more in critical infrastructure and services including improving our roads, drainage, footpaths, cycleways, parks, sportsgrounds and other facilities… all the things that our community is wanting.”
In 2023-24 Council is delivering the largest ever capital works program including $6.4 million in the upgrade of district and neighbourhood parks; $5 million in town centre upgrades; $2.5 million in the renewal of roads; More than $2 million in new foothpaths; and $2 million in the upgrade of sports facilities.
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