Is Murdoch University approving too many parking permits?

by Levina Mahendran Murdoch Student Guild has asked the University to be more transparent about the ratio of parking bays to parking permits. Finding somewhere to park is often a daily struggle for permit holders at Murdoch University, despite the South Street campus’ seven large car parks. The Murdoch Commercial Services Office has records of the number car park bays on campus and the number of current permits that have been purchased. However this information is not readily available to students. “It would certainly be interesting to know if the university limits the number of permits that they sell,” said Roland Belford, the current Guild President. According to the Murdoch University website, an annual green zone permits cost $110, and an annual red zone permits cost $290. At the point of application, students are told that there is no assurance that they will get a parking spot. “Students do complain that they’ve paid and they can’t get a parking spot, but it is explained to them on their application form that a permit doesn’t guarantee a parking spot,” said Rosa, a Student Services Centre Representative. “I understand that they can’t have a parking space for everyone. But I think the ratio of people to parking spaces is really pushing it… If I knew how many people I’m competing with I would be able to make a more educated decision if the permit is even worth it,” said Kirstyn Eatts, a red permit holder and a second year Psychology student. Students who live on campus at the Murdoch University Village apply for a purple parking permit, which limits them to carpark six which is located at the University Village. Their concerns with parking are different. “I have had to come home late before and there are no parking spots at the South Village car park, so I have had to park up on the verge,” said Jessica West, a Murdoch University Village resident. “People get parking infringements for parking on the verge. I’ve only escaped them on luck I reckon, but that is a choice I make because after dark it is a bit creepy walking through campus as a nineteen year-old girl on my own.” Some students have suggested that the university extend car parks. However this is not a decision that the university can make. “It is important to remember though, that university parking is not just under their control, it’s sort of owned by the government and there are a lot of state regulations about parking,” said Mr Belford. “It’s not an easy problem to fix… there are several layers of people involved, from the university and the government. The general response is ‘no we’re not going to expand bays’ and that’s from the government.” For more information on parking permits and restrictions, visit http://www.murdoch.edu.au/.