CITY council officers have recommended free one-hour parking be introduced in a central off-street area for two months in a bid to encourage more people to frequent Warrnambool’s central business district.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Weekly all-day tickets for CBD employees and a $50 pre-purchased card for all off-street areas are also recommended.
After years of community debate on the merits of parking charges and continued decline in shopfront retailing, the report to be debated at tomorrow night’s monthly council meeting comes as a breakthrough.
However, there is no indication of a reprieve in on-street meter charges.
The trial is recommended from April 20 to June 26 in the Parkers car park, which has vehicle entry points off Lava and Koroit streets with pedestrian links to Liebig Street.
“The free parking trial will promote more people to visit the city centre to enjoy its vibrancy with possible potential benefits for traders,” the report says.
“Recent surveys and parking data indicate that Parkers is operating at 50 to 60 per cent occupancy.
“The data also shows many shoppers are parking for one hour or less.
“Parkers car park is a 50 to 100-metre walk to the main block of Liebig Street which is equivalent to a one to two-minute walk.
“There is an opportunity to utilise the available car parks in Parkers for a free one-hour trial using the current ticket machine.”
There are more than 4200 car parking spaces under council management in the city centre including more than 110 added to the list last year with construction of off-street bays in Grace Avenue and Fairy Street.
Twenty-five new parking ticket machines were bought and installed for about $185,000 in off-street areas late last year allowing motorists to pay by credit card and via their phones.
Maps and new signage have also been rolled out to promote off-street areas which are mostly in short walking distances to main street shops.
A new city-wide parking strategy will be developed this year to cover future trends.
The trial and other changes to be debated this week will be reviewed and considered for extension in the forthcoming 2015-16 council budget.
The moves come as a long-term strategy plan is being developed.
“Combination of free parking, weekly tickets and pre-purchased cards provide alternatives,” the report says.
“This will improve convenience and affordability for parkers while hopefully improving visitation to the city centre.”
