INNER CITY PARKING 

 The subject of inner city parking for the service industries such as the interior plant hirers who must continuously deliver new plants and service existing projects, is one that has been brought to the attention of the Association Executive.  A number of members responded to our request for information and as a result, the Executive Officer wrote to the Brisbane City Council on behalf of the industry peak body, asking the Council for a proactive approach for assistance in allocating extra parking spaces that are not normally available and their guidance in maximizing what ever opportunities may be available for NIPA, as the peak industry body, to pass on to members that may assist them in alleviating this major problem of lack of parking.  Their response is summarized below. 

 Mr. Rick Simpson, Senior Project Officer Parking Policy Transport and Traffic, URBAN MANAGMENT DIVISION, advised that the Brisbane City Council has recently undertaken a major review of kerbside allocation within the CBD of Brisbane.  As a result changes will be made to existing kerbside use to maximize efficiency whilst retaining an equitable balance between all users.  The outcome of this review in part, is that loading zones will operate from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday where no peak hourly restrictions are in place.  In the core area of the CBD immediately adjacent to the Queen Street Mall where demand is the greatest, loading zones will operate from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.  Council believes that introducing such measures will adequately cater for the increasing demand on loading zones throughout the CBD.  It is envisaged that such changes will begin to be implemented in late July and be completed by the end of September 2002.  The Council has asked us to remain in contact with them as we see fit on this matter.