News Alert |

City of Ballarat officers are already working on substantial changes to the Smarter Car Parking Plan based on the extensive community consultation already carried out.

City of Ballarat Infrastructure and Environment Director Terry Demeo said the council was listening closely to its community.

“We know the plan isn’t perfect and we’ve heard a lot of really great ideas on how we can improve and change the plan,” Mr Demeo said.

“What will go back to the council chamber will be strongly informed by this community consultation process.

“Council officers are already working on changes based on the suggestions we have received so far.”

City of Ballarat Executive Manager of Regulatory Services Amy Boyd said the consultation process so far has highlighted:

Paid parking until 7pm in zone 1 is unpopular Zone 2 is not big enough, especially around the hospital precinct where it directly interfaces with residential areas. Zone 3 is too large with queries raised around charging in this precinct, with the majority of people preferring time restrictions and strong enforcement instead Residents don’t want to pay for parking permits Residents want certainty that if they have a permit, they will get a park outside their house People are generally positive about the technology options, especially the ease of ticketless meters People want stronger enforcement of parking fines Shoppers like the flexibility the plan will give them in the inner city but there is concern that if the pricing isn’t right, places will be taken up by all day workers

Ms Boyd said the lack of easily accessible public transport had been highlighted as a major issue and limitation in car parking behavioural change.

“Until we can fix existing public transport issues, there will be little change in parking behaviour,” Ms Boyd said.

“We will be lobbying the state government to improve the bus system in Ballarat.”

Ms Boyd also said there had been a lot of discussion around multi-storey car park options, and particularly who should fund them.

 “But one of our residents in a ward think tank pointed out that we need to be thinking ‘1 to 50 years’ ahead, not ‘1 to 4’ so our car parking solution does need to be a long-term strategic plan.”

Ms Boyd said residents had raised issues around infrastructure improvement, particularly lighting, footpaths, gutters and tree protection while workers want safe, accessible parking.

“However, the jury seems to be out on a park and ride option, as this will be really dependent on its frequency and flexibility.”

Mr Demeo said there was a lot of concern about the size of the paid area, particularly because it looked like it was a City of Ballarat “money grab”.

“The money raised through car parking will go back into infrastructure improvements, particularly roads, footpaths, gutters and lighting which are some of the most important items local government provides,” Mr Demeo said.

Community consultation so far:

767 online surveys have been completed so far at mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/proposed-smarter-parking-plan. 

Two-hour free parking in Zones 2 and 3 per day – Yes 52.2% No 47.8% Managing parking via a smart phone app – Yes 52.8% No 47.2% Topping up your parking using any meter in the CBD – Yes 68.9% No 31.1% Making parking bays close to the CBD more expensive – Yes 14.2% No 85.8% Extending paid parking in zone 1 to 7pm – Yes 8.9% No 91.1% Providing a free residential parking permit to each household in zone 1 – Yes 75.0% No 25% Of the people who responded to the survey – Worker 38.2%, Resident 32.2%, Other 17.3%, Shopper 8.3% and Business 3.9%

Nearly 340 people visited the Smarter Parking Plan pop-up shop during its two-week opening from August 6 to 18.

The pop-up shop will open again Friday 14 September to Friday 28 September at 315 Sturt St.

Up to 10 people have attended each Smarter Parking Plan suburban ward think tank sessions over the past two weeks, with more planned for next week.

About 30 people attended a community workshop held last weekend at Craig’s Royal Hotel, facilitated by Lynda Jones from the noagroup.

Council officers have also held information sessions at Ballarat Health Services, St John of God Hospital and ACU with further sessions at the Ballarat Library on Monday 10 September from 10am-12pm and the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre on Friday 14 September from 9am-11am.