29 car parks changed from three-hours to all-day

More all-day car parking will soon be available in the Rockhampton CBD area. Find out exactly where they will be.

Rockhampton Regional Council, RRC, City Hall on Bolsover Street. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

Rockhampton Regional Council is increasing all-day parking on the western side of Quay Street between William and Derby Streets following a petition from employees who work in the CBD.

Rockhampton Infrastructure Councillor Marika Taylor said said 29 car parks would be changed from three-hours to all-day as a result of the petition launched in late 2024.

She said it would ensure “a balance between worker accessibility and parking turnover”.

Councillor for Division 7 for Rockhampton Regional Council Marika Taylor.

Changes will take effect in a few weeks as new signs are installed.

Petitioners argued since the riverbank redevelopment and closure of the all-day car park next to the Boathouse and part of the all-day car park opposite The Heritage Hotel, there had been insufficient all day parking for CBD workers.

They pushed for all-day parking from William Street to Derby Street on the opposite side of the riverbank and along Derby Street between Quay Street to East Street.

Prior to undertaking the changes council officers undertook an investigation and found the areas raised within the petition are on the fringes of the CBD parking area where, according to council documents, “longer time restrictions are considered more acceptable”.

Council also undertook community consultation in the form of targeted letters and surveys sent to properties directly adjacent to Quay Street.

Despite the changes, not all parking time limits have been reversed with a section between 248 to 250 Quay St to remain as three-hour parking due to businesses requiring frequent turnover for clients.

The two-hour parking restrictions adjacent to The Heritage will also remain unchanged.

Heritage Hotel, Rockhampton CBD.

“As a part of this investigation, several occupancy surveys were undertaken, by council’s local laws team, to give better context to the occupancy levels in this location,” council documents said.

“These survey runs were within peak business hours (10am-3pm) to ensure that parking occupancy was not under reported.

“The survey indicated that the 3P parking on the western side of Quay Street is generally underutilised with higher occupancy to the northern end of the block.

The new-look Rockhampton riverbank.

“Derby Street had higher levels of occupancy throughout the survey dates. This would align with the parking demand associated with the land uses in these areas.

“The northern end of Quay Street has a Bar and Hotel which has a higher parking demand than the Walter Reid apartments at the southern end.

“Similarly Derby Street has the Walter Reid Cultural Centre and a gym which generate a higher parking demand as well.”