Legislative changes which could facilitate the government’s proposed payment for a swimming pool at the WACA Ground from the Perth Parking Levy have been introduced to parliament.
Legislative changes which could facilitate the government’s proposed payment for a swimming pool at the WACA Ground from the Perth Parking Levy have been introduced to parliament.
Amendments to the Perth Parking Management Act 1999 introduced today would widen the scope of initiatives which can be funded using the contentious parking levy.
That could open the door for the levy to fund the WACA’s swimming pool, among other initiatives deemed to have benefit for CBD businesses and residents.
“These changes are about modernising the laws and addressing known deficiencies in how the Act and levy are administered,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.
“The reforms we are introducing will allow us to invest levy funds on a wider range of initiatives that directly benefit CBD businesses and residents, and provide a social or economic benefit, such as better community assets and infrastructure.
“They’ll also deliver important changes that have been called for by industry, like the introduction of differential rates and the ability of the minister to waive fees, which is not currently possible.”
The parking levy is an annual tax of $1000-$1200 on car bays in the city, introduced in 1999 to deter car travel to the CBD.
Its current purpose is to subsidise transport-related projects within the Perth parking area, while discouraging traffic in the area.
In February, an Auditor General report into the levy found the state government had “no plan” on how to spend more than $190 million worth of funds collected through the levy.
It also revealed $580,000 worth of funding raised by the levy was conditionally allocated by the state government to the construction of a community aquatic facility as part of the WACA Ground redevelopment.
That was deemed to be outside the remit of the levy’s purpose.
At the time, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the allocation of funds was conditional on legislative change to the scope of the levy.
The revelation of legislative change drew the ire of City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, who claimed at the time the city hadn’t been consulted on any changes to the legislation.
The City of Perth previously voted against funding the construction and upkeep of a community swimming pool at the WACA Ground.
The city estimates it pays around 30 per cent of the levy, contributing around $17 million last financial year, according to its website.
In a tweet today, Mr Zempilas said the levy changes as announced today were ultimately a win for the city.
"Unlike what was initially being proposed where Perth Parking Levy funds could be spent on virtually anything, anywhere - now projects will be much more city-centric," he said.
"If the consultation is at the level the minister has suggested and the tranparency is to the standard expected by the Office of the Attorney General, this will be a strong outcome for City of Perth ratepayers."
The new amendments would also allow the waiving of fees for up to three years if required to facilitate development within the city area and permit the minister to pre-authorise new parking at development approval stage.
The government has also sought to improve transparency, adding a legislative requirement for reporting of spend from the Perth parking management account via the Department of Transport annual report.
Property Council WA executive director Sandra Brewer said the council welcomed the amendments.
“We have warned in the past that sugar hit activations and CAT bus expansions that don’t principally benefit the CBD are not appropriate uses for the levy,” she said.
“The focus should remain on the delivery of infrastructure to activate and support the CBD in its role as the lifeblood of the economy, and these changes will deliver on that.
“The proposed expansion of the uses of the Perth Parking Levy will enable state government, in consultation with key stakeholders to expediate the delivery of projects to improve social, economic and transport outcomes in the CBD.”
Funds from the Perth Parking Levy have assisted to fund projects including the Roe Street Enhancement, expansion of CAT services to Kings Park, the Matagarup Bridge and the Causeway pedestrian and cycling bridge.
