Central Geelong parking arrangements put off visitors: ratepayers groups

Geelong’s parking scene has been described as chaotic but there are still all-day spots to be found for less than $10. SEE THE MAP

Garden St is one of a few places with free all day parking in central Geelong. Picture: Mark Wilson

                                           

Car parks are a hot commodity in the centre of Geelong, particularly on a weekday.

Ratepayers Geelong spokesman Andrew Senia described getting a park in Geelong as “chaotic”.

He said people who spoke to the group were “sick and tired” of it.

“We need proper spaces to park and proper fees,” he said.

“Geelong is a great place to live but we should be trying to make it better.

“It’s discouraging people from coming into the city and we don’t want that.”

Mr Senia said affordable parking affected everyone, particularly retailers.

“People want somewhere to park cheaply, parking is not just a money making exercise,” he said.

There are more than 4700 off-street car parks and 5400 on-street car parks in central Geelong.

Bargain hunters in central Geelong can snare free all-day parking on Garden St and Hearne Pde near Eastern Beach, but some off-street parking in the city costs up to $40.

City of Greater Geelong executive director of city life Anthony Basford said the city’s parking fees were very competitive compared to other CBD parking options.

“Parking fees are necessary to ensure that we have available spaces in the CBD, allowing everyone a fair opportunity to park and helping to ensure turnover of spaces,” he said.

“Our data shows that around 20 per cent of parking spaces remain available during the peak time of 11am to 1pm, but some areas experience greater pressure than others which is why managing demand is critical.

“Fees increase by a small amount each year in line with CPI – we consider factors such as parking demand, market value and affordability, supporting the needs of the community by keeping increases as low as possible.”

Geelong council’s 2024-25 budget forecasted a 68 per cent increase in revenue from parking infringements in the next 12 months.

The change is expected to reap $6.7m during the period, above the almost $4m generated in 2023-24.

All levels of parking infringements increased by around three per cent, ranging from $99 for overstaying an allotted time to $198 for parking in a no standing area or disabled bay.

Council parking meters are programmed for free parking on Victorian public holidays, as well as Geelong Cup Day, but not including Melbourne Cup Day.

Andrew Senia says parking in Geelong is “chaotic”. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Parkopedia’s most recent Global Parking Index report found Australia was the most expensive country for two-hour and daily off-street parking.

The report stated global inflation rate directly impacted parking pricing.

Parkopedia’s research found daily off-street parking cost an average of $52.22 and daily on-street parking cost an average of $12.61 in Australia.

For two hour parking it costs an average of $29.01 off-street and $7.78 on-street.

City of Greater Geelong did not respond to request for comment by deadline.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Central Geelong parking arrangements put off visitors: ratepayers groups