On-Street Parking

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport regarding the management of on-street parking and congestion.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Under section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, the minister has a clear capacity to direct a road authority to install, alter or remove traffic control devices, including parking controls, and to recover the cost of that work where necessary. Congestion on our suburban roads is an issue, particularly in some parts of the eastern suburbs, notably in the Campbelltown City Council, where the former Weatherill government, under the ministership of the Hon. John Rau, enabled blocks of 150 square metres, which enabled increased council revenue but has led to levels of congestion that local people find unacceptable. My questions for the minister are:

1. Has she taken steps to address congestion and parking pressures using the Road Traffic Act powers?

2. Has she identified any existing locations in which these laws could apply?

3. Has she approached any councils in relation to resolving their congestion issues through the Road Traffic Act?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for her question. Yes, in my first three weeks I have met with the LGA. I am meeting with as many stakeholders as I can to get a really great understanding of the significance of this portfolio. I know as a government we understand and appreciate that on-street parking is an issue in a lot of communities. My understanding is that we have looked at how we can tackle this problem with new bills relating to garage sizes being actually able to accommodate the size of a car so we can get our cars off streets and into the garage.

I am happy to look into this more. I am happy to continue this conversation further if there is something in particular that you would like to discuss in an area. But, as I said, three weeks in, I am happy to keep looking at these issues.