PCC threat to private parking deals
Perth residents and business owners are renting out private parking bays despite warnings they could be prosecuted.
More than 70 Perth residents have signed up to just one of a handful of websites linking people with car bays they do not need to those who want to rent them.
Under the City of Perth's planning scheme and the State Government's parking policy, car bays approved for residential use cannot be leased or made available for commercial parking.
Melbourne company Parkhound started operating in Perth about a year ago and the city warned residents who signed up they could be prosecuted.
Other companies offer similar services, including Parking Made Easy and Park Hire. Popular classified website Gumtree is used by some residents taking matters into their own hands.
Parking in a city-operated carpark starts at $2.50 an hour for an open-air space, the city's published fee schedule says.
Spaces advertised on Parkhound yesterday started at $2 an hour or from $10 a day or $50 a week close to Perth's CBD.
Dan Norton signed up to the website five weeks ago to use space in his garage. "It is really about helping out your fellow community member," he said.
Parkhound co-founder Michael Nuciforo said 92 spaces were now offered for lease by 72 people in Perth, mostly around the CBD.
The average listing price was $58.18 a week and sellers had collectively earned $37,000.
Perth's participation lags that in Melbourne and Sydney where more than 500 and 300 spaces respectively are leased through the website.
Mr Nuciforo said the company, which also operates in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, had not encountered problems with any other council.
He said the group contacted the city but had not heard back.
However, Perth chief executive Gary Stevenson said the city had told Parkhound any potential clients "may be unknowingly risking prosecution by leasing parking bays".
"The city is monitoring the issue and has requested all necessary steps are taken to notify existing and future clients of the risk of prosecution," Mr Stevenson said.
'Notify existing and future clients of the risk of prosecution.'" City of Perth to carpark leasing websites
