Lismore council to vote on extending city parking times

LISMORE council will tonight vote on a motion to increase all one-hour parking zones in the CBD to two hours after consulting with businesses and residents.

LISMORE City Council will tonight vote on a motion to increase all one-hour parking zones in the CBD to two hours after consulting with businesses and residents.

The council came under fire in 2013 for the introduction of paid parking in the Kirkland Riviera Carpark.

In October, just six weeks after paid parking had started, the council abandoned paid parking after a petition with 3200 signatures was presented and business owners said they had seen a downturn in foot traffic.

The council also launched a review of its CBD parking policy with Urbanismplus Consultancy conducting a community workshop in April with a representative selection of residents and local organisations.

The recommendation before councillors tonight is that all one-hour zones be converted to two hours "without delay". All other zones (five minutes and 30 minutes) would remain unchanged.

There would also be a trial of a day-long permit scheme for members of sporting and social clubs so they can park behind the old council chambers on Molesworth Street.

If passed by the council, the Draft CBD Parking Policy 2014 will go on public display for 28 days for public comment.