February 2025 Briefing from the CEO
CEO’s February Briefing
Wherever this finds you, I trust you are well. It’s a busy time for many and we note also the challenges for many in the wider sector brought on by the recent weather and fire events in some parts of the country.
We note, as many colleagues locally and internationally have, the recent passing of US urban planner Dr Donald Shoup. An overview of his work, for example, is on the UCLA website here. Our colleague IPMI CEO Shawn Conrad’s reflections are on LinkedIn, while UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs In Memoriam page notes Dr Shoup was a “titan in the field of urban planning and specifically parking reform.” Dr Shoup was the keynote speaker for Parking Australia’s 2010 convention, for instance, and was well-known to many in the Australian parking sector. Vale Dr Shoup.
Closer to home, this month’s member-only briefing (log in via the link at the end of this note) provides details on the proposed changes to the Victorian Congestion Levy Act and our ongoing efforts in response. Since the announcement just before Christmas, we have been actively engaging with members and key stakeholders. We also issued a statement on the appointment of the new Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, which noted the Association’s perspectives on the proposed changes. Our engagement efforts actively continue. The briefing also covers key state-based updates from New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, the latter of which heads to the polls in early March.
COMING UP:
Online Member Briefing Friday 21 February – free for members
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has partnered with eSmart 21 to conduct a Smart Parking Trial. The objective of this project is to test whether AI can be applied as a soft-touch solution to manage disability parking spaces, as often if a person who is unable to access these bays at their desired location it proves an insurmountable barrier to complete basic everyday activities.
This online briefing will detail the project and provide the opportunity for Q&A. It will be recorded and made available for members post-event.
Perth event Wednesday 26 February – free for members
I’m looking forward to a packed schedule of member visits and our WA event, which will be held at 3.30pm Wednesday 26 February with a case study with the City of Perth, 2024’s Parking Organisation of the Year.
Join us for what will be another great WA networking event. It will be recorded and made available for members post-session.
Parking Australia @ Highways AU – Sydney, 15-16 October
We’re partnering with Highways AU again in 2025 with special member-only rates for members to sponsor/exhibit.
This partnership provides valuable opportunities for networking and showcasing innovative solutions and builds on the successes and positive feedback from members over the past two years of the partnership.
Almost 50% of exhibition space is already sold and prime locations are very limited. We encourage you to act now to avoid disappointment. Please contact Hoss Esmaeilzadeh at 02 8908 8512 or hoss.esmaeilzadeh@terrapinn.com to reserve your spot and ensure your presence at this high-profile, major parking industry event.
For attendees, registration is again free.
Parking Industry Awards, Sydney – 15 October
Last year’s event was a great success – you can watch the highlights of the night here. We’re finalising details including categories and sponsorship opportunities for this year’s Awards – stay tuned for announcements.
Thank you
We thank all our members for your support including our three Platinum members (First Parking, TNS, and Wilson Parking) and Gold members, with long-standing member Nationwide now becoming a Gold member (thanks Fedi). We also note those many members who renewed since our last bulletin – thank you.
Member-only briefing
Our first member briefing this year includes an advocacy briefing on key issues including the Victorian Congestion Levy, with that news coming just before Christmas.
A rolling update on the Congestion Levy is provided between our regular briefings for members.
Members can read more on these matters and other Parking Australia member news by logging into the member portal.
MORE FOR MEMBERS – Log on to view member content.