Below is a recent history of the Perth Parking Levy after amending legislation was introduced in the WA Parliament...
May 2020: Property Council, Australian Hotels Association, Activate Perth + community groups sign an open letter calling on the State Government to freeze any increases in the PPL and for existing funds to be spent stimulating the CBD economy during COVID. PPL balance = $130 million
August 2020: $50 million Causeway Pedestrian Bridge announced by State Government under pressure to spend funds from the PPL.
October 2020: new City of Perth Council elected along with new Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas. Every candidate calls for action on PPL. Fund sits at around $160 million.
July 2021: Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas on behalf of the City of Perth Council writes to the Auditor General requesting an audit of the PPL including full transparency on how funds are spent noting existing legislation requires them to be spent in consultation with the City.
2022/23 State Budget increases the PPL levy by 3.75%
December 2022: Causeway Pedestrian Bridge project blows out by $50 million
February 2023: Transport Minister preempts release of Auditor General report with proposed changes to the Act which allows a wide range of uses for PPL funds outside the levy area and outside transport related projects. City of Perth pushes back.
February 2023: Auditor General releases full report into the PPL. Balance $200 million. Transport Minister caught trying to use half a million dollars from the PPL fund for the WACA swimming pool despite it falling squarely out of its intended use.
2023/24 State Budget increases PPL again by 3.5%. City ratepayers now pay $18.5 million a year. Forward estimates shows no sustained increase in spending on CBD transport projects or new initiatives outside CAT buses. PPL balance due to hit $299 million in 2026 (up from $130 million in 2020).
August 2023: Bill introduced to amend PPL legislation to allow the State Government to widen the scope for expenditure, options to charge different PPL rates depending where the car bays are within the City, and new reporting requirements.
While not the perfect scenario, it’s a result for the City. None of this would have been possible without the leadership of the Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, our Councillors, our ratepayers or the Office of the Auditor General for Western Australia.
You can read more details about the Perth Parking Levy (including rates, how it is applied, and the impact on our parking fees in the City) by clicking here.
Cr Brent Fleeton - City of Perth