Council endorses changes to Central Car Park

Toowoomba Regional Council has ratified changes to parking rates in the Central Car Park following a successful trial.

In December 2019 Council introduced a reduction in parking costs in the Central Car Park, located on Neil Street, from $1.80 per hour to $1 per hour for up to three hours.

Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Services Group General Manager Mike Brady said the temporary reduction to the hourly cost of parking in Central Car park has had the desired effect of encouraging greater use of this car park.

“Council implemented these changes in December on a trial basis to see if we could encourage more motorists to use this car park,” he said.

“To date, this initiative has seen an increase of approximately 36 per cent in the number of tickets purchased at the car park which is a great result.”

In January 2019 there were 2695 transactions which occurred in the Central Car Park compared to the 3660 which occurred in January 2020. The total parking time purchased has also increased by over 50 per cent.

“This initiative has seen a previously underutilised car park turn into a well-used resource,” Mr Brady said.

“Due to the increase in usage, Council has made the decision to continue with the $1 per hour parking fees following the trial.

“We believe these changes will help increase parking opportunities for all and importantly, help to support local businesses, so we continue to see a thriving CBD.”