Parking problem crosses line

STAFF members are parking long term in the CBD and killing local trade, according to a local shop owner.

Sportfirst owner and operator Deb Miller said she regularly sees staff members of other businesses park all day in short term parking.

She said this prevents customers from visiting local shops.

While it happens regularly in Forrest Street, Mrs Miller said it affects many businesses in Collie.

“It is just common sense and basic consideration,” she said.

“If you’re going to park somewhere all day, then park further away and walk.”

Mrs Miller said she went to the physiotherapist recently and struggled to find a car bay close to the building.

“Luckily I wasn’t too incapacitated, but there was one car that was there when I went in and it was still there when I went past later in the day,” she said.

“It’s the same if you go to the hairdresser - you don’t want to get your hair done and then have to run a mile in the rain to get to your car.”

Mrs Miller said parking has always been an issue, but was exacerbated when Central Park replaced what was a large car park.

“I was against the park - I knew we would have a problem,” she said.

“When it was a carpark, staff could park there all day. Now, it has made it even harder to find a park.”

If customers cannot find short term parking near shops, they are likely to continue driving, Mrs Miller said.

“It is annoying. If you’ve got to go to the bank, or you’ve got an appointment, you’ll find a spot because you’ve got to go,” she said.

“But if you’re just wanting to call in and see what a shop has, or have a browse, then customers are more likely to change their mind.”

Mrs Miller said she is also aware of lo- cal businesses that are affected by caravans parking long term in front of their shopfronts.

She believes there should be more signage pointing caravanners to the carpark near the Collie Park Shopping Centre.

“Who owns that car park? It is great for long term parking, but no one uses it. We’ve parked there with our caravan before, on our way out of town,” she said.

“We’re very spoiled in Collie - finding parking should not be an issue.”

Despite the problem, Mrs Miller said she does not believe paid parking is the answer.

“All paid parking does is drive people away,” she said.

“It might be the long term solution as the town grows, but at the moment I don’t think it is warranted.

“If people were just considerate, this wouldn’t happen.”

Mrs Miller said she has had customers complain about the lack of parking.

“It is hard to measure how many customers I have lost due to parking issues,” she said.

“There have been occasions where people couldn’t find a spot, but I’ll never know how many customers I have lost.”

Mrs Miller said the answer lies in consideration.

“Put yourself in a customer’s frame of mind when you’re looking to park your car,” she said.

“If you park in one spot all day, you’re potentially stopping more than 20 customers from visiting a local shop.”