Toowoomba Regional Council has announced changes to the CBD parking times to boost retail turnover in the city.

Feedback from stakeholders indicated the two-hour parking was being used by some local workers and business owners for all-day free parking with cars commonly being shifted several times a day to avoid parking fines.

Infrastructure spokesperson Cr Chris Tait said the way people interact with the city was constantly changing and Council continuedsto modify its parking practices in response to the needs of residents and business owners.

“One and two-hour free parking was initially established in Ruthven and Margaret Streets to off-set the free parking in Garden Town and Grand Central Shopping Centre and to improve customer access to the “main-street” shopping precinct,” Cr Tait said. “Council wants this area to be used for what it is designed for so we are reducing the parking time limit in the centre parking bays and increasing the number of medium-term bays on the outer streets to cater for those needing a bit more time in the city to do business.”

Changes have begun in Ruthven and Margaret Streets where the previous two-hour limit for free centre parking will change to free one-hour parking while increasing the number of medium-term bays on the outer streets to cater for those needing a bit more time in the city to conduct business.

Three hour time limits will be introduced on Neil Street (Margaret to Herries Streets) and Annand Street with Victoria Street (Margaret to Russell Streets) to follow shortly.

Council is also looking at other options to address parking in the city and fringe areas, namely:

• The development of a multi-storey car park over an existing TRC off-street parking facility;
• Exploring the potential for possible park and ride shuttle facilities; and
• Lobbying the State Government to improve public transport in the city.

Submitted by:
Chris Leslight
Media co-ordinator
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
Toowoomba Regional Council