Townsville City Council reveals maps of suburbs affected by paid parking expansion

Townsville drivers are bracing for impact as new maps lay bare the council’s controversial paid parking expansion, set to come into force from January 6. SEE THE MAPS.

Parking meters will soon be appearing throughout North Ward, South Townsville, and Pimlico. Pictures: Supplied.

Maps have been unveiled showing in greater detail where people will be charged to park, when, and for how long, following Townsville City Council’s decision to proceed with a paid parking expansion into North Ward, South Townsville, and Pimlico.

The majority of Townsville City Councillors voted in favour of pushing ahead with paid parking expansion on July 17, in addition to jacking up parking fees to $2 an hour and $10 per day, which came into effect on July 29.

From January 6, 2025, areas around The Strand, Gregory St, Mitchell St, Palmer St and the Fulham Rd medical precinct will be impacted by the parking changes.

The Strand and surrounds – Monday to Sunday from 9am-5pm:

Paid parking expansion at The Strand and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

• The Strand (Sir Leslie Thiess Drive to Howitt St) 4P timed zones, except near Tobruk Pool which will be 2P timed zone.

• Gregory St (The Strand to Eyre St) 2P timed zone while the corner of Eyre St will have both 15min and 1P parking zone.

Paid parking expansion at Gregory St and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

• Mitchell St (Leichhardt Street to Stuart St) 4P timed zone while the Gregory St intersection will include 2P parking zones.

Palmer Street and surrounds – Monday to Sunday from 9am-5pm:

Paid parking expansion at Palmer St and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

• Palmer St (Ross St to Dean St) 2P timed zone.

• Dibbs St 2P timed zone.

• Anthony St 4P timed zone.

• Tomlins St 4P timed zone.

• Plume St (Tomlins St to McIlwraith St) 2P timed zone.

Fulham Road Medical Precinct – Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm, 4P timed zones:

Paid parking expansion at Mater Private Hospital and the surrounding area. Picture: TCC.

• Fulham Rd (Kings Rd to Doris Ct).

• Doris Ct.

• Diprose St (Southern end to Vivian St).

• Turner St.

• Thomas St.

• Park St (Fulham Rd to Derby St).

• Lothair St.

• Albury St (Park St to Western end).

• Alroy St.

Justification behind the parking expansion

Paid parking was introduced to Townsville 23 years ago and for the past 14 years the price had remained constant at $1/hr up to a maximum of $6/day.

The controversial decision to increase fees and expand paid parking throughout Townsville caught residents by surprise, triggering an outcry from community leaders and an avalanche in opposing petitions.

Two Change.org petitions have gathered over 10,000 signatures, while five e-petitions on the council’s website have signatures totalling over 2500.

A Townsville City Council spokesman has explained why the difficult decision was made to raise parking fees while the community grapples with a cost of living crisis.

Townsville residents including Alex Gallaher and Narelle Fig, have criticised the council's decision to roll out more parking meters.

The changes were informed by the 2022 Parking Report, where the council commissioned PSA Consulting to undertake an in-depth parking study to gain an understanding of the existing parking supply and demand (both occupancy and duration of stay) within and nearby Townsville city, to forecast future parking growth and utilisation including demand, occupancy and duration of stay.

Given there was significant demand in all study areas, the report concluded that intervention was required to ensure that parking demand did not exceed the parking supply and utilisation was kept to a maximum of 85 per cent.

The report considered the provision of additional parking spaces but rejected the idea due to the capital cost of construction and ongoing operational maintenance cost, as well as the likelihood of increased demand on the local road network.

It also considered the introduction of timed parking without introducing paid parking as an option to increase turnover of traffic but found that the current time constraints were broadly being adhered to and would not encourage faster turnover of vehicles.

The introduction of timed parking without additional paid parking revenue would also increase operational costs to the council to maintain enforcement activities in these areas without a revenue offset.

The report concluded intervention was required to enhance parking turnover to balance the future needs of businesses, residents and workers.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Miranda Mears has described the council's decision to implement paid parking on the Strand as a 'slap in the face'. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“If no intervention was taken to enhance parking turnover, parking demand would far exceed supply by as early as 2026,” the council spokesman said.

“The expansion will improve the turnover of parking bays that may be occupied by workers and increase visitor numbers, encouraging a steady turnover of traffic, making it easier for visitors and customers to find parking spaces.

“Income from paid parking will be reinvested back into the community and offset the operating costs of The Strand and other community assets.”

While paid parking has been introduced to new areas, he said free parking would still be available for both workers and the community near all the locations, allowing a choice between paying for an available space or using free parking and a short walk.

A Townsville City Council parking inspector in the CBD. Picture: Evan Morgan

Commuters can park for 15 minutes free at 2P paid parking locations when using on-street parking meters.

People with disabled permits will continue to be able to park for free.

The council will enforce parking fees on The Strand, Gregory and Palmer Sts seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm, while enforcing parking on Fulham Rd and the CBD five days a week.

Alternatives considered to parking expansion

• Add an additional 1 per cent rate increase (2024/25) and 0.85 per cent increase in 2025/26.

• Reduce quality and delivery of core services.

• Install parking meters at additional locations across the city.

Costs and revenue to be generated

• Conservative revenue projections, based on 70 per cent utilisation of paid parking spaces, forecast $3.839 million per financial year for council’s coffers.

• This revenue is the equivalent of a 1.85 per cent rate rise across the local government area.

• The cost to install paid parking at new locations is estimated at $1.77 million.

• Enforcement and operational maintenance of new metered areas is expected to cost approx. $382,000 this financial year and $623,000 annually thereafter.

For more information on paid parking, visit the council’s website.

Originally published as Townsville City Council reveals maps of suburbs affected by paid parking expansion