02/07/2012

Brisbane is now Australia’s most expensive CBD for one hour parking and the second most expensive city for parking overall behind Sydney, according to a new report released by RACQ.

The RACQ’s annual audit of capital city off-street parking costs canvassed all Australian CBDs and found Brisbane motorists are now paying almost four times what they did in 2001.

RACQ’s executive manager public policy Michael Roth today said average weekday Brisbane CBD parking rates increased 28.7 percent over the past year.

"Short term visitors to Brisbane CBD are really hit the hardest with one hour parking rates skyrocketing to an average of $27.94/hr," Mr Roth said.

"That’s five percent higher than Sydney CBD at $26.71/hr and 64 percent more than Melbourne at $17.08/hr.

"More than 60 percent of the maximum daily parking charge in the Brisbane CBD is accrued in the first two hours, which really slugs those who need short term parking.

"It means that Brisbane motorists who want to go to the CBD for a movie, shopping or some other purpose will pay an average of $42.31 for two hours’ parking and $65.71 for four hours."

The annual parking report, which was introduced in 2011 by the RACQ, found Sydney is the most expensive city to park between two and four hours, with average rates between $51.35 and $72.25 respectively.

Brisbane has also eclipsed Melbourne as the second most expensive city for all-day parking, Mr Roth added.

"Brisbane motorists are now forking out $65.83 on average for eight hours CBD parking, which is a drastic increase from the $51.97 they paid just over a year ago, Mr Roth said.

"Currently, Sydney is the most expensive CBD for all-day parking at an average of $74.23 while Melbourne is marginally cheaper than Brisbane at $63.68.

The report also highlighted a 314 percent increase in the average parking costs across hourly, two-hourly, four-hourly and all-day rates in Brisbane since 2001.

"We believe the high CBD parking charges are mainly due to the planning constraints that Brisbane City Council have imposed on CBD office towers for many years," Mr Roth said.

To view the report, go to www.racq.com.au/motoring/advocacy_for_motorists/consumer_issues .