Police gets street parking, cops' private cars in compound

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By ERWIN CHLANDA

 

An Alice Springs businessman has questioned the reserving of all car parking spaces in Parsons Street between Hartley and Bath Streets for police vehicles while private vehicles – likely belonging to police officers – are parked in the compound alongside the police station.

 

Both the police and the council are saying the arrangement is temporary and subject to review.

 

Paul Lewis, who runs an electronics business, says: “I am curious about how long the trial will be as it has not been stated.

 

“I am unsure what planning went into the move to the Greatorex building was conducted.

 

“From memory, when a non government business wishes to move, they are asked to supply information about the parking in order to minimise any disruption to the ‘normal’ traffic conditions,” says Mr Lewis (pictured).

 

“To block most of the street parking with police cars is extremely disruptive to what was available parking.

 

“On a side note, I wonder who is paying the fringe benefit tax on the private cars in the compound.” 

 

Simon Duke, Acting Director Corporate and Community Services of the town council, says the move was “to assist the police in their role for our community, council agreed to increase the number of allocated parking bays in Parsons Street. 

 

“This was agreed in April 2019 between police representatives and council staff, and is subject to feedback and review.  

 

“Council would encourage the community to provide any feedback or concerns to council directly so it can be considered when this agreement is reviewed.”

 

Police Commander Bradley Currie says: “Police currently has a number of car parks allocated along Parsons Street for marked police vehicles.

 

“The car park arrangement was a trial with the Alice Springs Town Council and will be subject to a review in the near future.”

 
Mr Lewis says it is unclear by whom and how a decision will be made about the trial.
 

 
 
 

7 COMMENTS

  1. On the odd occasion I walk past the police station vehicle compound in Bath Street, I recognise some private vehicles that previously were parked in Parsons Street outside the old police station.
    I used to see these regularly after finishing work at Woolies and walking home that way late each evening.

  2. Alice Springs Town Council freely giving up the public’s car parking reminds me of the free pass that successive Federal governments have been given when ramming legislation of “national security” through Parliament.
    There really is no need for the council to prioritise this parking to police. It is a nuisance to the public.
    Also, the parks often have unmarked police cars.

  3. I support both the police and the Alice Springs Town Council in their activities but this is certainly a bad look.

  4. Interesting comment from the council “to assist the police in their role for our community”.
    By that I am assuming they mean the parking in Parsons Street. If the police were actually out fighting crime, the cars wouldn’t be there, so this doesn’t make sense at all.
    Furthermore as it’s the taxpayers that pay for the police, the council and the parking areas for that matter (via taxes) perhaps the priority for the parking should be given to the taxpayers.
    I am disappointed by the justification by the council. At least give us a credible explanation, please.

  5. How do the parks at the new building compare to their old one? Or are they lots of new cop cars due to our lovely crime stats?
    Why not park over in old complex across the road? Or knock it down and make a new carpark for town.

  6. I agree, why should the police be given street parking when they have three car parking facilities adjacent to buildings within the same area. (The three buildings on the corner.)
    Doesn’t look good driving down Parson Street, to see it packed with police vehicles when they have parking spaces within their buildings. Not much parking around the streets now for the common folk.

  7. I don’t agree with this new parking line up. I think its very rude and arrogant of Town Council and police to have this to themselves.
    It’s hard enough to get a park close by especially when the underground car park at Alice Plaza lowered their height. The council needs to address this issue.

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