Perth Voice Interactive

ONE of the last sneaky free parking spots in the inner-city may soon cost thrifty parkers $2.40 an hour.

Vincent council’s parking department wants to spend $43,650 on ticket machines it can spread through the Fitzgerald Street carpark that’s tucked in a “discreet location” behind the Italian Club.

A hidden oasis of free bays for car-bound Constanzas, the secret’s been getting out lately and sometimes it’s stuffed with dozens more cars than it’s meant to fit.

People pay as much attention to bay borders as they do to the three-hour limit.

Due to “numerous complaints” of “overstays and other abuse of parking facilities by commuters and employees of local businesses,” the council’s cracking down.

Staffers reckon ticket machines means everyone gets a fair go at parking on council land. The fact the council gets to trouser some change is merely a coincidence.

Another not-so-secret-spot on Lawley Street is also set to get ker-chinged.

by DAVID BELL