Planned introduction of paid parking at Cottesloe beaches stopped [Audio]

20/8/98

Local Government Minister Paul Omodei has put an end to the Town of Cottesloe's plans to introduce paid parking at its beaches this summer.

Mr Omodei announced today that he would take the formal steps necessary to forbid the council's declared intention to charge fees at specific parking areas.

If parking fees were to be have been introduced, it would have been under the provisions of a local law.

However, the authority existed under Section 3.5(4) of the Local Government Act to create a regulation which would prevent the creation of a local law on any subject, and under Section 3.17 to create a local law to amend or repeal an existing local law.

The Minister had informed the Town of Cottesloe of his decision today so that they would not proceed with any arrangements to introduce paid parking.

"In the final analysis, Cottesloe's proposal was a revenue-raising measure," Mr Omodei said.

"It was not intended as a traffic or parking control measure and it was not designed to pay for parking facilities.

"It was intended to raise revenue and therefore could only be regarded as a charge for going to the beach.

"Both physical and financial freedom of access to our beaches are among the treasures of the Western Australian way of life and I don't think they should be sacrificed for the benefit of one local government."

Media contact : Hugh Ryan 9366 0200