Free parking for Cottesloe beach users to stay

28/8/02
Visitors to Cottesloe beach will continue to be able to park free of charge, a privilege enjoyed by other beach users along the Western Australian coast, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens said today.
Mr Stephens said that the State Government had no intentions of changing the current status.
The Minister was responding to suggestions in the media from the Cottesloe Council to reconsider a 1998 decision by the then Local Government Minister Paul Omodei, which prevented the Cottesloe Council from charging parking fees on the beach front.

"It is a Western Australian tradition and expectation that we are able to freely access our beaches," he said.
"This Government will not support any move to force the public to pay to visit the beach.
"Cottesloe beach is one of the State's most popular beaches and tourist attractions and parking fees will deter people from enjoying a popular recreational area.
"I am disappointed that the council is re-visiting this issue. The WA public had made it quite clear that asking people to pay for parking when visiting the beach was unacceptable and un-Australian."
Mr Stephens said the Cottesloe Council would not gain any support from the State Government for slugging the WA public through revenue raising measures disguised as beach-front parking fees.
Minister's office: 9213 6500