How central Geelong’s parking will improve

Drivers would be able to find vacant car parks using an app and have access to a demand-driven payment model under a strategy aiming to improve parking options across central Geelong.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj next to a parking meter in Little Malop Street. Picture: Stephen Harman

Drivers would be able to find vacant car parks using an app and have access to a demand-driven payment model under a strategy aiming to improve parking options across central Geelong.

The City of Greater Geelong this week released its Draft Central Geelong Parking Strategy for public comment.

The draft strategy sets out a framework for parking in the CBD, bounded by McKillop St, Latrobe Tce, Eastern Beach Rd and Swanston St, and proposes six key strategic moves that would allow the city to manage the current and future demand for parking in central Geelong.

These include:

INTRODUCING a precinct-based approach to parking management, dividing central Geelong into parking precincts and prioritising users in each precinct based on customers, businesses and services who need parking the most;

USING technology such as parking sensors to introduce adjustable pricing and time restrictions – to increase supply in areas of high demand and encourage greater use of areas where there is lower demand;

EXPLORING and encouraging shared parking for new developments;

USING state government and the private sector partnerships to deliver multistorey parking facilities on the fringe of central Geelong;

ADVOCATING for greater investment in public transport to help reduce the demand for car-based travel to central Geelong; and

REINVESTING a portion of parking revenue directly into the areas where it is generated, such as through streetscape upgrades.

Hearne Parade Picture: Mark Wilson

The draft strategy noted the community had expressed “significant frustration” when trying to find on-street parking in central Geelong, despite data showing at least 3000 empty spaces available at any one time across the week.

“This is largely because demand is particularly high in some locations and not others,” the strategy noted.

“The only solution is to manage demand so that a reasonable level of parking is always available.”

The strategy also stated demand for parking varied by time of day, day of week and location.

It noted this demand could be managed by monitoring availability by area.

Under the plan when parking availability climbs over 15 per cent or falls below 5 per cent the user-based, time-based or fee-based restrictions could be adjusted, the strategy states.

Council would also monitor the demand by embedding sensors in every parking space.

“We will use the data to adjust the controls and maintain availability,” the report noted.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said it was important to provide equitable access to parking in central Geelong, while also making active travel like walking and bike riding easier.

“As our population grows, we need effective, sustainable, and inclusive parking services,” he said.

“Addressing issues such as parking and traffic congestion will be critical for ensuring we maintain a high-level of liveability in our city.”

After the final parking strategy is released, council plans to gather new data for 12 months across Central Geelong, which it will use to “prepare parking plans tailored to the needs of

each precinct”.

The strategy is open for public comment until July 2 via yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/cgps.

Originally published as How central Geelong’s parking will improve