Media Alert – 24 September 2012
With the ACT election just weeks away, the National Capital Attractions Association (NCAA) is calling for candidates to address the dire situation associated withCanberra’s limited car parks within the Parliamentary Zone and servicing many of our popular national attractions.
Today marks the start of the NSW School Holidays, a busy time forCanberratourism due in part to Floriade. The frustration associated with the current parking and transportation situation will be acutely felt by visitors, and the ongoing economic impact associated with that frustration cannot be ignored.
The negative experiences associated with the lack of parking will only be exacerbated in 2013. With the Centenary of Canberra program highlighting the range of attractions and exhibitions that are expected to draw large crowds, many at the same time and to the same areas, the need for a holistic strategy to manage the transport and parking requirements for the potential influx of visitors is essential.
The NCAA is encouraging election candidates to consider a number of solutions, including temporarily re-opening the Patrick White lawns in front of the National Library of Australia (350 car spaces), providing temporary parking elsewhere in the Parliamentary Zone, converting all-day parking spaces to time-limited (3 hour) spaces, and implementing Park and Ride systems between the Parliamentary Zone and a range of locations around Canberra, such as EPIC and the Canberra Airport.
Media representatives are encouraged to question the political parties and candidates in the upcoming ACT election about their plans to address this issue.
The Canberra Business Council and the Tourism Industry Council (ACT), are jointly hosting the Pre-Election Tourism, Sports and Arts Luncheon tomorrow (Tuesday 25 Sept) at 12:30pm at Manuka Oval. It will be attended by Andrew Barr (ACT Labor), Brendan Smyth (ACT Liberals), Shane Rattenbury (ACT Greens), Marion Le (Social Justice Party), Chic Henry (Australian Motorist Party) and Tim Bohm (Bullet Train for Canberra). http://www.canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au/pages/event_view.asp?id=391
For further information or interviews please contact Heather Millard, President, National Capital Attractions Association (NCAA), on 0418 417 600.