While Council has resolved to form a working group to evaluate introducing paid parking for visitors, Mayor Neil Reilly has warned it will be some time before a decision is made on whether to go ahead.

At the May Central Precinct Meeting, Mayor Reilly said the process of review, including reporting to the council, public exhibition, and potential implementation, means that paid parking is not months, but years away. 

He also cautioned that it took Wollongong Council up to eight years to see a return on its investment in paid parking.

Councillor Matt Brown, who proposed the review into paid parking at the May Council Meeting, said ratepayers are subsidising the costs incurred by day-trippers, including waste management, park maintenance, and toilet upkeep; and that introducing paid parking for visitors is both equitable and fair. 

He cited examples of popular tourist destinations like Balmoral Beach, the Blue Mountains, and Byron Bay implementing paid parking without negatively impacting visitor numbers.

Councillor Brown with some overflowing bins at Kendalls Beach

An earlier report in the April Business Paper noted that any review of paid parking will require an examination and update of the Draft Kiama Traffic and Parking study. This review would exclude Akuna Street parking, include Blowhole Point, and conduct a new parking analysis, including Gerringong. Money for the review is in the 2023/4 draft budget.

The review would need to include research models used by other coastal towns; necessary conditions to ensure compliance with Transport for NSW guidelines; and expenditure needed to implement it. These costs would include procurement consultation, capital equipment, infrastructure development, software, and ongoing maintenance.

At the Kiama Central Precinct meeting, Mayor Neil Reilly discussed the review, emphasising the need to consider objectives, resident and business sentiment, and gain a clear understanding of the benefits to the community. Also, there are major issues to consider, such as the recipient of proceeds generated on Crown Land.

While the Destination Kiama Advisory Committee has given their support to the concept, the Kiama and District Business Chamber conducted a survey in May 2023, asking ‘Do you support the concept of paid parking in frequented tourist centres in Kiama’? Of the 49 respondents, 45 per cent were in favour, and 55 per cent were against.