Council investigating extending free parking in CBD
Date published: 21 December 2018
Townsville City Council is investigating introducing free 30-minute parking in the CBD.
The new parking rules could start next year, and will allow motorists to park for 30-minutes for free in 2P parking spaces.
It comes after Council introduced free 15-minute minute parking in the Budget in June, and slashed fines by half in January.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Council will consider whether introducing 30-minute free parking would encourage more motorists to stop and shop in the CBD.
“There has been some feedback following the introduction of the free 15-minute parking that shoppers and traders wanted that little bit extra time,” Cr Hill said.
“If Council proceeds, there will be 30 minutes free parking for anyone to head into the city and do some shopping or grab a quick meal.”
Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said work would need to be undertaken to the parking machines to re-program them for the new 30 minutes free parking rules.
“The parking machines would need to be adjusted before any changes to the free parking time limit,” Cr Molachino said.
“Importantly, traders will have the 2-hour free parking for the remainder of the Christmas period and the CBD utilities work has finished so there’s no excuse not to come into the city.”
Local Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the potential expansion of the free parking program to 30 minutes was another way Council was listening to locals and encouraging more people into the CBD.
“Council is investing in new street art, major events to Celebrate Christmas Together and now investigating the free parking to 30 minutes in the New Year,” Cr Greaney said.
“We want to encourage more people to stop and shop in the CBD and rediscover something great about our city heart.”
