How much council lost in parking revenue due to COVID-19

THE council lost more than $800,000 in parking revenue as part of its efforts to offer relief for customers in the CBD during COVID-19.

The council lost hundreds of thousands in paid parking revenue as a result of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE Toowoomba Regional Council lost more than $800,000 in parking revenue as part of its efforts to offer relief for customers and businesses in the CBD during COVID-19.

New statistics show the council collected $804,514 in paid parking between January and June this year, a big drop from the July to December 2019 period where $1.62 million was recorded.

Just $99,703 was reported between April and June, representing just 12 per cent of the entire six month revenue collection.

This was in line with the TRC's decision to suspend paid parking in the CBD to support businesses and customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with the period ending on July 1.

Infrastructure services portfolio leader Cr Melissa Taylor said the $10.5 million first stage of the council's economic relief package had provided a helping hand to CBD users.

"The management of parking is an essential and necessary function to ensure safety, manage traffic flow and turnover of parking to assist business," she said.

"The council suspended all carparking fees in late April as part of its $10.5 million stage one pandemic economic relief package.

"The council offered relief to motorists and showed its support for city businesses by waiving all parking fees through to June 30, 2020.

"This package complemented state and federal government initiatives which directly targeted support for eligible businesses and their employees who were affected by the coronavirus lockdown across the country."

Overall paid parking revenue from the 2019-20 financial year was $2.42 million, down $555,527 from the previous 12-month period ($2.981 million).

Cr Taylor said free parking was still available in the Toowoomba CBD.

"Free one-hour parking continues to be available in Toowoomba's CBD along Ruthven and Margaret Sts," she said.

"Residents and visitors also can take advantage of several five and 10-minute parking bays on either side of Ruthven and Margaret Sts.

"Residents needing more than an hour for CBD appointments can use the central car park that offers an hourly rate of $1 up to a maximum of $3 for three hours.

"Weekly parking tickets are available at all of the council's off-street car parks except the Toowoomba Bus Station car park, with discounted weekly parking available at Herries/Water St car park and Station St car park."

For full details of car park locations, fees and the 3P parking zone Central Traffic Area map, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/carparking.