BY TYLER FARDELL

For many Newcastle residents who work in the CBD, parking has never been much of an issue.

However, as Newcastle undergoes some dramatic changes as part of the Revitalise Newcastle program including the construction of a light rail network, parking in the CBD may become a struggle.

Approximately 386 parking spaces will be lost when the former David Jones car park closes to make way for the redevelopment of the mall which is being undertaken by Iris Capital.

But the answer to these parking problems has been right there all along.

The 200 or so parking spaces at Number 2 Sportsground in Newcastle West are open to residents all day every day, yet no more than a dozen cars can be seen parked there on weekdays.



The Empty Spaces at Number 2 Sportsground

Photo source; Newcastle Herald

Newcastle City Council CEO Jeremy Bath says he can’t understand why more people aren’t taking advantage of the most affordable all-day parking in Newcastle.

“All day parking at Number 2 Sportsground costs just $6 and is takes no more than 10 minutes to walk to business hubs like Honeysuckle, Marketown, King Street and Hunter street”, he said.

“Many people will waste their time and spend 20 minutes driving around the CBD looking for a park when they could already be at work. It’s Newcastle’s best kept secret”.



The always full parking along Smith Street next to the Sportsground

Photo source; Newcastle Herald