Sections of the Ozone and Cramond and Dickson car parks returned to metered parking at the end of December after free 90-minute parking finished following completion of the city renewal works. 

Warrnambool City Council city infrastructure director Scott Cavanagh said the parks were temporarily provided as part of its business support package for stage two of the City Centre Renewal.

Mr Cavanagh said while stage two renewal works were largely complete by September, free 90-minute spaces remained available in both car parks until the end of the year.

Free parking signs were removed from the Ozone carpark on Tuesday.

“This was in line with the date indicated in the City Centre Renewal Free Parking Strategy adopted by council in 2016,” he said. 

Mr Cavanagh said the initiative was similar to the free 90-minute spaces in the Parkers car park during stage one in 2017.

“If you would like to visit the CBD, there are still plenty of free parking options if you are willing to walk one or two blocks,” he said. 

“Making the city centre an easier and safer place for pedestrians to get around was one of the major outcomes of the City Centre Renewal.”

He said there was free parking on the CBD fringe in Henna, Merri and Banyan streets and Raglan Parade. 

He reminded shoppers about the new 179 free all-day spaces that have opened up on the south side of Merri Street, between the train station and the Warrnambool RSL.

He said money raised from car parking goes towards new parking infrastructure, local laws officers who enforce time limits and the maintenance of existing parking infrastructure.

“If you are a smartphone user, I’d highly recommend the free CellOPark app. The app allows you to start and stop you parking session so you only pay for the time you use,” he said. 

A group of CBD traders has banded together to petition Warrnambool City Council to make 90-minute free parking permanent in two car parks.

Traders want sections of Parkers and Ozone car parks to be made free for the first 90 minutes.

Store owner Max Taylor is behind the petition that was placed in 25 stores at the start of December and he is encouraging residents to sign it.

Residents have until the end of January to show their support before the petition will be presented to council.