Paid parking introduced at Exmouth’s Learmonth Airport

Paid parking at the airport servicing Exmouth is set to be introduced in an attempt to reduce congestion.

Short-term parking at Learmonth Airport, about 35km from Exmouth, will remain free for the first four hours, after which people will be required to pay either daily or weekly parking fees.

Day parking will attract a fee of $5.50 while weekly parking will be charged at $35 a vehicle.

Shire of Exmouth executive manager of commercial and community Matthew Bird said the move would encourage more people to share rides, catch the bus or get dropped at the airport rather than leave their cars for extended periods.

“Learmonth Airport handles some 43,000 departing passengers each year and the number of people leaving their cars at the terminal for extended periods is placing pressure on the available parking,” he said.

“Experience from other airports shows introducing fees for long-term parking will dampen demand, allow better management of the parking area and negate the need for expensive carpark extensions.”

The change was implemented on Monday, August 19, with all customers, including those parking for free, required to get a ticket and display it in their car window.