Deakin students to rally over parking costs

The major changes to car parking arrangements include increasing the annual fee for blue general parking permits from $203 to $250 for students and increasing fees for daily and hourly permits by 50 per cent.

Cheaper red zone permits ($101.50) will be discontinued and all free parking areas will be converted to paid permit parking.

The changes are set to be introduced from Trimester 1, next year.

The Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) president Kali Watson voiced the concerns of students about the price hike and said a protest against the changes was planned on August 2.

"Our campaign may be disruptive in the interim, but we feel that the university's decision has gone too far," she said.

"If Deakin considers increasing prices then they also need to dramatically increase parking spaces and have a subsidy scheme for students who can't afford $250 for a permit."

Soon after the changes to fees were announced, students established a Deakin University 2012 Parking Price Increase Petition on Facebook.

The group attracted 247 members in less than 12 hours.

In an email to staff and students on Friday, Professor den Hollander said she realised the new arrangements would upset some students and staff but subsidising car parks were costing the university's core business.

"I trust that you will take some time to consider these new arrangements in the light of the need to reduce Deakin's carbon footprint, to release more funds for Deakin's teaching and research activities, and to keep pace with other institutions who are also working hard to reduce the demand for on-site car parking."

She said the changes also aimed to reduce demand for parking on campuses and encourage staff and students to adopt "sustainable transport alternatives" like public transport.