Council parking shortfall for recreational vehicles

Sydney-based Ian and Irene Hardie, 62 and 59 respectively, believe caravan and camper trailer parking in the Waggga city centre is limited and other options to park elsewhere aren't ideal given the long distance to walk to shops and services.

But Wagga City Council (WWCC) maintains city parking is adequate and that it effectively caters for the grey nomad market.

The Hardies parked their vehicle and camper trailer in the privately owned Aldi car park on Berry Street on September 29 and emerged 15 minutes later to find a $104 parking fine issued by WWCC.

"(We parked) a bit out of the way," Mr Hardie said.

"We were not inconveniencing any one.

"I'm very careful about my parking, we're very particular about it."

Mr Hardie immediately went to council to explain that his wife had had a recent arthroscopy and found it difficult to walk long distances.

Council advised him it was out of their hands so he went to the state debt recovery office to be told to go back to council.

"All I wanted was a bit of leniency and consideration because my wife can't walk that well," he said.

"I had no intention of breaking the law.

"There were stacks of empty car spaces too."

WWCC generated more than $1 million from 7883 parking infringements in the 2013/14 financial year, according to figures published by the NSW Office of State Revenue.

Despite the overall total down on previous years' cash collections, drivers were still slugged close to five times the total revenue collected by Dubbo City Council over the same period and well above other comparable centres Albury, Orange and Tamworth.

Mr Hardie conceded parking elsewhere in Wagga wasn't an issue if you could walk to the centre.

"The people who work in council have to get off their high horse," Mrs Hardie said.

"They have got to have a bit of consideration.

"A bit of leniency would be nice."

A WWCC spokesman confirmed the privately owned car park was patrolled under agreement to ensure adequate spaces were available for businesses located within that precinct at the request of the owner.

"Camper trailers are permitted to park within any car park or can utilise on-street parking, provided the vehicle and trailer are parked correctly," he said.

"A vehicle towing a trailer is permitted to take up more than one parking bay, provided they are not using more bays than necessary and adhere to any time limits that may apply to that particular park."

Council believes Wagga is recreational vehicles (RV) friendly and caters for the grey nomad markets with the installation of a dump point at Wilks Park.

Council is working alongside Wagga Business Chamber (WBC) to enhance parking options in the city.

"The WBC had a very productive meeting with the WWCC last week and I know they have a number of initiatives in place around parking," WBC manager Michelle Bray said.

"The WBC is happy to work with them on these initiatives and is definitely interested in continuous improvement in this area for businesses and the community at large."

WHERE Wagga fails to cater for the campervan and caravan market with limited and unsuitable city parking, it makes up for in other areas, according to passing visitors.

A 62-year-old man was angered to find a parking fine slapped across the windscreen of his car and campertrailer last month after parking in a car park on Berry Street for about 15 minutes.

Ian and Irene Hardie maintained they were unable to park further away from the centre when they passed through Wagga because of her recent arthroscopy, launching a month-long battle with Wagga City Council (WWCC) and the state debt recovery office to waive the payment.

The Sydney-based couple believe parking in central Wagga needs to be addressed, adding fuel to suggestions Wagga isn't a recreational vehicle friendly town (RVFT).

While Albury, Coleambally, Lake Cargelligo, Hay, Narrandera and Lockhart are among the 46 RVFTs in NSW, Wagga hasn't yet been formally recognised as an RVFT under the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia's (CMCA) stringent requirements.

John Miller, a free camper of almost four years, believes city parking could be improved but Wagga is otherwise suitable for RVs.

"(Wagga is) pretty much (RV friendly)," Mr Miller said at Wilks Park free camping area today.

"There could be more parking in town itself for people who want to stop in town.

"A lot of people don't want to (free camp).

"You see someone pull up and park and it's quite obvious there's not enough parking in town."

South Gipsland's Jane and Gary Plier also maintained parking was problematic for a transient crowd but said free camping at Wilks Park allowed them to inject money into the local economy.

Mrs Plier said Wagga wasn't alone in its limited city centre parking, but it wasn't an issue for free campers.

"It is but Wagga's not entirely on its own," she said.

"We love Wagga, we always come here.

"If you're driving through, it could possibly be an issue and you can drive miles to park but if you stay here overnight, you can go into town."

The first criteria to be labelled a RVFT is a provision of appropriate parking within the town centre, including access to a general shopping area with groceries or fresh produce, as well as provision of short-term (24/48 hour) parking for self-contained vehicles within the town precinct.

Other requirements include access to potable water and a dump point.