New charges for motor vehicle parking space levies have been determined effective from 1 July 1997. 

On 1 July 1992, an annual parking levy of $200 to each non-residential, off-street parking space in the Sydney and North Sydney business areas was introduced. The objective of the levy was to discourage car use and decrease congestion and pollution in Sydney's prime business districts. The Parking Space Levy Act 1992 provided the legislative basis for the administrative arrangements related to the collection of this levy. 

Effective from 1 July 1997 this levy will increase to $400 per year. Government agencies which own parking spaces in the designated areas will have the same general obligation to pay the levy as non-government parking space owners. The levy now also applies to Darling Harbour. 

Government agencies which own or lease parking spaces subject to the levy should make arrangements to recover the full cost of the levy from individual users who are holders of public sector positions specified in Section 17 of the Act, and who have an entitlement to use a designated parking space. For SES officers, the cost of the levy should be deducted from their remuneration package. 

It would be appreciated if you would bring this information to the attention of all appropriate officers within your administration.

C. Gellatly
Director General