The cost of parking in Brisbane CBD is akin to daylight robbery.
I heard a rumour that Brisbane was the third most expensive city in the world, and as I scanned the interweb for some substantial evidence, my initial source wasn’t far from the truth. In 2009 Brisbane came in at 7th in the world for median monthly unreserved parking rates and 14th in the wold for median daily parking rates. In terms of daily parking rates, Brisbane suffered the biggest rise in Australia, up 19 per cent to $47.50 a day, compared to Sydney, down five per cent, to $55. And where they really sting you is the first hour. I paid over $20 for one hour at Eagle Street – ouch!
But I admit that it’s my choice – as long as Brisbane City Council buses continue to not show up and the cabbies continue to not know where the hell they’re going, my back pocket will continue to be raped by the parking station kings.
The cost of parking in Brisbane has sky rocketed due in part to increased CBD property values and the removal of parking buildings to be replaced with high rise apartments.
Future parking parking plans in Brisbane’s CBD must include fully automated parking stations designed for commuter electric cars the size of the Mercedes Smart.
A automated parking station requires less ground footprint,no fire escapes,no customer lifts,no lighting and no staff. The system should be required by council before the approval of any new CBD buildings.