Gallagher in push to keep parking revenue

She has also told the parliamentary committee conducting an inquiry into lack of amenities in the precinct that any new retail outlets there must not be large enough to undercut nearby shopping centres.

The committee will hold its first hearing on Tuesday, amid criticism of its terms of reference. The inquiry into amenities in the zone was prompted by the introduction of paid parking in the triangle.

The committee will examine the demand for a mini-mart and other services for the thousands of workers who face being charged $2600 a year for parking from July next year, as announced in the budget.

The first hearing is due to take evidence from the National Capital Authority, Community and Public Sector Union, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, National Gallery, Department of Parliamentary Services, Questacon and Doma Group.

Ms Gallagher says in her submission to the inquiry the ACT government supports the development of more amenities in the parliamentary triangle. The government is committed to improving public transport between the precinct and nearby retail centres, she says.

''The free Centennial Bus loop service provided from 1 February 2013 between Civic and other national amenities and the parliamentary triangle is an example.

''While the ACT government supports some additional retail provision within the parliamentary triangle, this should not be of a scale that would undermine other commercial centres.''

Ms Gallagher says she has written to Territories Minister Catherine King about the decision to impose paid parking on national land.

''In this correspondence I have suggested that there is a strong argument for the funds derived from paid parking in the parliamentary triangle to remain in the ACT to support amenity development for NCA land and to provide an additional resource stream for national institutions,'' she says.

''Importantly, parking, parking revenue policies and public transport arrangements should be aligned between the NCA and the surrounding territory-administered land.

''The ACT government would be willing to discuss with the Commonwealth the land release options that might support an appropriate level of new retailing floor space immediately adjacent to NCA land, should this be considered a desirable option.

''Should retail service developments be recommended in the parliamentary triangle, it should align and integrate with respective urban and commercial developments across the two jurisdictions.''

Politicians from the federal Labor and Liberal parties have refused to support the plan for paid parking in the triangle unless better services are provided for public servants.

They say public servants who work in the precinct do not have access to the same level of amenities as workers in areas such as Civic, and have to drive to work so they can reach services, including supermarkets and dry cleaners, elsewhere.

In its submission, the Doma Group says an investigation found ''no significant retail demand'' near the site of its proposed development on National Circuit.

''Workers and residents in the area have access to the full range of retail and services that is offered in the nearby Manuka and Kingston retail centres,'' it says.

''While the media release announcing the inquiry makes no reference to it, we assume that the inquiry has been called in response to the introduction of paid parking to the parliamentary triangle in the 2013-14 federal budget.

''We note that the terms of reference are restricted to the 'parliamentary triangle', whereas budget 2013-14 introduces paid parking to national land in the suburbs of Parkes, Barton, Russell and Acton

''The map issued by the National Capital Authority shows that this includes areas outside of the parliamentary triangle.''

A bike hire scheme may be introduced in the triangle to overcome objections to paid parking there.