Signs like this have started springing up around the local streets, in the vicinity of Randwick Racecourse, in recent days.
I know Pope Benedict XVI needs to park the Popemobile somewhere when he arrives here for World Youth Day, but in reality the so called “special event parking areas” strike me as being futile.
First up local residents and business owners (or “WYD permit holders”) will still be able to park their cars here, in these zones, as usual.
Second, parking spots are already scarce as is, even when UNSW isn’t in session, and the vehicles usually parked hereabouts are virtually all residential, so the nett effect of the special parking zones will be about two parking spots.
In other words enough space, as I said, to park the Popemobile. Which I guess is ok, since everyone else attending the Pope’s mass at Randwick Racecourse will be walking there anyway.
How many parking spaces can the Popemobile take? I don’t know Sydney well, but I stayed once at a motel near Randwick racecourse and walked past the university to watch several days of a test match at the SCG.
That was a fair hike, but if you want to see the Pope I reckon you’d walk just as far, if not further.
The walkers are coming from North Sydney, via the Harbour bridge (which will be closed specially), so the whole deal is definitely for the faithful as it were :)