Car parking costs soar

By David Schout

Local off-street parking prices have skyrocketed in the last 12 months, especially near Bourke and Collins streets.

At six separate off-street parking lots on or near the prominent streets, costs now exceed $40 for just a 1-2 hour park.

This compares with just two lots that charged in excess of $40 for a 60-minute-plus park at the same time last year.

The biggest percentage rise, however, was at The District Docklands where, in some cases, parking costs trebled.

Since changing names from Harbour Town, parking at the shopping mall has risen considerably.

Motorists who don’t spend at least $20 at The District will be stung $15 for a three-hour park (compared with $4 this time last year) and $30 for a six-hour park (up from $10).

The most expensive off-street parking in Docklands is now at the two Wilson Parking garages on Enterprize Way (off Bourke St), where a three-hours plus park will now set you back a whopping $85, up from $69 last year.

As soon as the clock ticks over 60 minutes in both of these off-street car parks, drivers are forced to fork out (at a minimum) $52.

Wilson increased parking costs at the two car parks by more than 30 per cent in each weekday timeslot except the 0-30 minute slot (which remained $6) and early bird parking.

According to car park finder websites, the $85 price tag for a three-hour park is one of the most expensive in Melbourne.

Nearby parking at both Woolworths and Exo (off Merchant St) remained the same.

Wilson Parking did not respond to media requests from Docklands News before deadline.

Motorists will also be further more out of pocket in Docklands should they lose their parking ticket.

Misplaced ticket fees rose from $55 to $120 at the Siddeley St park since this time last year.

Similarly, forgetful drivers will be also be stung $120 (up from $75) at one of the Wilson parks on Enterprize Way.

Parking at Marvel Stadium (formerly Etihad) stayed the same.

The cheaper event parking at Digital Harbour parking (off Harbour Esplanade) rose from $18 to $20.

An updated Docklands off-street parking guide can be seen in the 2019 Docklands Directory, distributed in December.