willygee
15-02-05, 11:19 AM
A Sydney Council has declared war on 4WDs by becoming the first in the state to "tax" owners - through a residential parking permit scheme.
In a bid to curb the number of ratepayers buying 4WDs, North Sydney Council last night voted to move forward with a proposal to double the vehicles' parking permit fees.
Subject to a public exhibition phase, 4WD owners in North Sydney will be forced to pay $88 for a residential parking permit - double the current amount of $44. If the same household applies for another permit for a second 4WD, it will cost $200, up from the current $100.
A council report claims 4WD emissions should be taken into account and the fee hike will "discourage" ratepayers from owning large cars.
At last night's council meeting, the motion was passed with nine councillors voting for the plan and four voting against it.
Some of those who refused to support the price hike claimed it discriminated against families.
Others said that while motorists who chose to drive smaller, more environmentally friendly vehicles should be rewarded with a discounted permit, drivers who chose to own a 4WD should not be penalised.
Parents driving 4WDs to transport their children home from North Sydney's Monte Sant' Angelo School slammed the fee increase and labelled it a tax.
They also warned it could set a precedent for other councils.
"Other councils will want to do the same because it is a money making scheme," said Donna Schmalkuche, who drives a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Warwick Armstrong was also critical of the proposed increase, saying the marginally higher emissions from his Pajero did not justify the massive increase in residential parking fees. "It is just another fund-raiser," Mr Armstrong said.
But, council experts described the fee hike as "revenue neutral", as any increase in permit price would be offset by the smaller vehicle discount.
The council has promised pensioners would be offered discounts.
SOURCE (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12250482-1242,00.html)
In a bid to curb the number of ratepayers buying 4WDs, North Sydney Council last night voted to move forward with a proposal to double the vehicles' parking permit fees.
Subject to a public exhibition phase, 4WD owners in North Sydney will be forced to pay $88 for a residential parking permit - double the current amount of $44. If the same household applies for another permit for a second 4WD, it will cost $200, up from the current $100.
A council report claims 4WD emissions should be taken into account and the fee hike will "discourage" ratepayers from owning large cars.
At last night's council meeting, the motion was passed with nine councillors voting for the plan and four voting against it.
Some of those who refused to support the price hike claimed it discriminated against families.
Others said that while motorists who chose to drive smaller, more environmentally friendly vehicles should be rewarded with a discounted permit, drivers who chose to own a 4WD should not be penalised.
Parents driving 4WDs to transport their children home from North Sydney's Monte Sant' Angelo School slammed the fee increase and labelled it a tax.
They also warned it could set a precedent for other councils.
"Other councils will want to do the same because it is a money making scheme," said Donna Schmalkuche, who drives a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Warwick Armstrong was also critical of the proposed increase, saying the marginally higher emissions from his Pajero did not justify the massive increase in residential parking fees. "It is just another fund-raiser," Mr Armstrong said.
But, council experts described the fee hike as "revenue neutral", as any increase in permit price would be offset by the smaller vehicle discount.
The council has promised pensioners would be offered discounts.
SOURCE (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12250482-1242,00.html)