Free two-hour parking plan to entice shoppers into city
Date published: 29 November 2016
Townsville City Council will offer its two-hour parking spaces for free in the CBD in December.
The initiative hopes to encourage more shoppers into the city for Christmas trade and is a way for Council to thank CBD traders for their patience during the CBD Utilities Upgrade project.
Divisional councillor Ann-Maree Greaney encouraged residents to shop local this Christmas.
“Christmas can be a great time for retailers and we hope that residents will come into the CBD to support the traders,” Cr Greaney said.
“There are so many lovely boutique shops and traders that offer a point of difference to the big department stores, so if you haven’t come to shop in the CBD for a while, this is a great opportunity to see what’s on offer, while enjoying the new Christmas decorations and the giant Christmas tree.”
Cr Greaney said council was also working with CBD traders on the Christmas in the City event on December 2 to encourage more people into the city.
“We’re looking outside the square to see what else can be done to support the traders and make the CBD a unique shopping and entertainment precinct.”
The free parking is for 2P spaces only, not four-hour or eight-hour spots, and ticketing machines will be signed to reflect this.
More than 500 2P spaces will be offered for free under the plan.
The two-hour time limit still applies and will be enforced.
The free period is December 1-31 only.
Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Mark Molachino said the current stage of the CBD Utilities Project was winding down.
“Shoppers and traders should see a return to normal traffic conditions in the weeks ahead,” Cr Molachino said.
“We are finalising some footpath works and there are some continuing works at Fletcher and Flinders St intersection, however most of the road excavation works for 2016 are coming to an end.
“Work will continue in the new year.”
