Australian Institute of Traffic Planing and Management

From an article in Sydney Morning Herald

It was a radical proposal to solve the parking woes in one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs. Faced with mounting demand for street parking in Paddington and a perceived lack of public transport, two Woollahra councillors decided the answer could lie underground.

The resulting plan was for a $5 million 40-space car park, which involved digging a large trench along Stafford Street, reinforcing the sides then covering it over.

Ramps would have provided restricted vehicle access, and car spaces would have been leased or sold for $125,000 or more to recover costs.

But the idea drew strong opposition from locals. Nearly 80 per cent of nearby residents who responded to a survey in May opposed the construction. They cited drainage issues for properties in the area, the impact on the heritage streetscape, and the removal of trees as key issues.

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