Student parking at the University of Newcastle’s (UoN) Callaghan campus has come under scrutiny after permits temporarily reached capacity at the start of semester two.
The issue was raised in a post on the “UoN Hate Letters” Facebook group, with some questioning why parking permits could “sell out” when students are already paying to attend university.
Following the post on Tuesday, 18 August, Newcastle Weekly spoke to students at the Callaghan campus about their experiences with parking.
Uaine McTaggart told the Weekly he thought the situation had become particularly difficult, with students needing to arrive well before class to secure a space.
“Parking at this uni is absolutely ridiculous,” he said on Wednesday morning.
“I came here two hours early today so that I could try and find a park and I only found one because I was very lucky.”
Mr McTaggart said some of his friends were regularly using free parking farther from the main campus due to limited paid parking spaces.
“They’re parking in the free parking that is way off on the other side of campus,” he said.
“Why are we paying for it? It doesn’t make any sense.”
An annual student (or resident) permit costs $182.70 and runs through to 31 December.
Shorter permits covering date ranges like 10 August to 31 December are also available for up to $66.15.
Only full-time or part-time students are eligible for the passes.
Fellow UoN student Emily Gallaway said that parking had already been difficult during the first few weeks of the year’s second semester, particularly for students with classes later in the morning.
“I own a parking permit,” she said.
“The first couple weeks back it is a bit tricky to get parking, especially my first class is at 11, so I know everyone’s gotten here earlier and so I try and get here as early as possible to find a park.”
A University of Newcastle spokesperson told the Weekly that changes were being made to the permit system in response to feedback.
“In response to student feedback, the University has adjusted the way campus parking permits are issued to better align the number of permits with available parking capacity,” the spokesperson said.
The change was designed to avoid overselling permits and give students who purchase one a “reasonable opportunity” to access a parking space.
The University spokesperson confirmed strong demand at the beginning of semester two had resulted in some students being placed on waitlists after permit allocations reached capacity.
“The University is monitoring demand closely and continues to release permits for student purchase up to the allowable limit,” they said.
“As it stands, sufficient permits will be available to address the current waitlist.”
The University also encouraged students returning for semester two to consider alternatives to driving and reminded them that casual and overflow parking is available nearby.
Parking at Callaghan Campus is operated by CellOPark.
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