Pain at the parking station for motorists returning to CBD

RACQ31/08/2020

Brisbane motorists have the second highest average off-street CBD parking costs in the country, according to new RACQ research.

The Club’s 2020 CBD Parking Prices Report revealed Brisbane drivers were being ripped off on weekdays, with motorists paying more than $30 for a one-hour stay, the highest average casual rate in Australia.

Club spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said more workers had returned to the CBD in recent months, but due to COVID-19 concerns, people may have switched from public transport to driving and parking in personal vehicles.

“Public transport use is down by about 50 percent, but more people are heading back into the city for work. That’s why it’s vital parking operators look to offering deals and incentives for those who feel they have little choice but to drive,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Brisbane motorists paying weekday casual parking rates in Brisbane’s CBD have seen prices quadruple since 2001.

“The market is dominated by a small number of parking providers, which only means bad news when it comes to competition and prices.

“These high rates don’t just impact motorists, but the shops and businesses that rely on visitors to the CBD. Most of us can’t afford to drive in and shop for a few hours at these prices. It can also lead to more congestion, as some will circulate looking for cheaper on-street parking.”

Ms Ritchie said the weekday daily average for parking was $75 in Brisbane, compared to $78.59 in Sydney, which had the most expensive rate in the country.

“The most expensive weekday rate per day in the CBD was a whopping $97 at one station and unfortunately the number of stations charging a general $89 daily maximum increased from four to five this year,” she said.

“The cheapest car park in Brisbane CBD is the Myer Centre on Elizabeth Street, with a casual ‘drive-up’ rate of $30 per day. Brisbane City Council owned and operated car parks at King George Square and Wickham Terrace also offer good deals, with a casual rate of $35 per day.

“Driversshould take advantage of earlybird parking rates, booking ahead online and making the most of other discounts, deals and promotions through parking provider apps. The weekday earlybird average is $23.35, so it pays to be organised.”

Parking breakdown ranked by cheapest all day price^:

Rank	Carpark	30 minutes	1 hour	All day
1	Myer Centre – Myer	$8	$10	$30
2	King George Square – BCC	$10	$18	$35
3	Wickham Terrace – BCC	$10	$18	$35
4	Queens Plaza – Vicinity Centres	$9	$9	$50
5	222 Margaret Street – Apollo Parking	$5	$10	$50

Parking breakdown ranked by dearest all day price^:

Rank	Carpark	30 minutes	1 hour	All day
1	40 Tank Street – Care Park	$20	$39	$97
2	140 Elizabeth Street - Wilson	$13	$29	$89
3	363 Adelaide Street - Wilson	$13	$29	$89
4	Eagle Street Pier, 45 Eagle Street - Wilson	$5	$26	$89
5	Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle Street - Wilson	$10	$25	$89

Parking breakdown ranked by dearest 1 hour price^:

Rank	Carpark	30 minutes	1 hour	All day
1	Treasury Hotel – Private*	$50	$50	$70
2	Central Plaza 1 – Secure	$29	$42	$83
3	Post Office Square – Secure	$24	$42	$84
4	Macarthur Central – Secure	$23	$42	$84
5	Wintergarden – Secure	$23	$42	$84

*Privately operated hotel carpark.

Parking breakdown ranked by dearest 30 minute price^:

Rank	Carpark	30 minutes	1 hour	All day
1	Treasury Hotel – Private*	$50	$50	$70
2	53 Charlotte Street - Care Park	$31	$31	$86
3	Central Plaza 1 – Secure	$29	$42	$83
4	Emirates House – Secure	$29	$41	$82
5	Post Office Square - Secure	$24	$42	$84

*Privately operated hotel carpark.

^Prices taken from operator websites, July 2020, All Day parking = 8 - 12 hours.

Pain at the parking station for motorists returning to CBD

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