Finding a decent parking spot in Newcastle can sometimes feel like a high-stakes game of chance.
In an effort to stop Novocastrians driving around in circles, eight Newcastle councillors are pushing for a review to address parking headaches.
Independent and Labor councillors have joined forces to ask City of Newcastle to look at parking supply, time restrictions and enforcement with an area-wide approach.
A motion to Tuesday's meeting said the council's own parking plan, particularly on Newcastle East, points out that multiple time restrictions and inconsistencies are likely to cause confusion.
The councillors argue retailers and hospitality venues rely on weekends and evenings for their customers, yet access is "problematic" given parking is unrestricted in some eastern parts of the city for much of the weekend and after 5pm on weekdays.
The motion references a 2019 city east survey which found the council had "failed" to manage the knock-on effect of parking restrictions applied on a street basis in lieu of a neighbourhood-wide approach.
"Following the demolition of the King Street parking station, the redevelopment of the former David Jones carpark, the impact of the light rail and ongoing residential and commercial building projects particularly in the East End, West End, Wickham and in some surrounding areas, there has been a significant reduction in parking spaces which is having an impact on local businesses, resident and visitor access," the motion said.
The councillors will specifically ask City of Newcastle to take a closer look at Newcastle East, Newcastle West, Wickham, the Hill, King Edward Park and high-traffic spots like Darby Street, Cooks Hill, the Junction and Hamilton.
Councillors will ask the council to consider expanding the review to other areas including around John Hunter Hospital and the Mater Hospital.
In response, an executive director's report said the council has been implementing actions from its parking plan since it was adopted in 2021.
Those actions include upgrading all parking meters and reviewing and updating parking restrictions.
"For all areas, CN always reviews the parking requirements on a precinct level as standard practice," the report said.
"Parking activity across the city is reviewed and audited on a weekly basis, using information captured through data streams such as parking meters, parking sensors, parking enforcement, on site reviews, and management of all incoming requests.
"This is supplemented with periodic parking surveys to evaluate areas of interest to assist with ongoing upgrades and review."
If approved, the council will also write to state MPs for Newcastle, Wallsend and Charlestown advocating for improved public transport services across the city.
