Comments sought on Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy Refresh through to December 13, 2024

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is encouraging interested people to comment on the Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy Refresh until Friday, December 13, 2024.

TRC Transport and Drainage Planning portfolio spokesperson Cr Trevor Manteufel said residents could offer their views by visiting Council’s Your Say page, yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/parking-strategy

Cr Manteufel said Council was keen to seek responses from residents, business owners, shoppers and workers about how, when and where they visited or parked in Toowoomba’s CBD and the Region more broadly.

“Council appreciates how the availability of on and off-street car parking plays an important role in supporting the businesses and services that are offered across the Region,” Cr Manteufel said.

“It is appropriate to seek feedback from all CBD businesses and visitors, considering the existing Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy was implemented in 2019 to address the requirements at that time.

“The Region’s population has grown in recent years, along with changes to business activities and transport services, in addition to a greater interest in how Council manages the provision of parking in Toowoomba’s CBD and the wider Region.

“Ongoing development and investment have changed the range and operating hours of businesses in the CBD. We need to understand how these changes have shaped people’s behaviour.

“For these reasons, it is timely to refresh the Region’s parking strategy with clear aims to develop a more efficient, user-friendly and sustainable system that meets current and future needs for our growing communities.

“The refreshed strategy will focus on improving the use of the city centre’s available Council-operated parking, as well as parking around key destinations, such as schools, hospitals, sporting facilities and industrial areas. We are also seeking feedback about parking in regional centres. In addition to car parking, Council is exploring parking for alternative modes of transport, such as bikes and e-scooters, as well as electric vehicle charging facilities.

“Council recognises that as our city grows, the demand for parking in Toowoomba’s CBD is increasing. There is a competing need for all-day worker parking and short to medium-stay customer parking, which is vital for business turnover.

“Feedback will also help Council identify efficiencies in parking options that will benefit business owners, shoppers and workers.

“Council is seeking a broad cross section of respondents to complete the survey to give the most accurate picture of current parking trends.”

Community feedback will be used to inform the development of the draft Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy.

Residents will have a chance to comment on the draft strategy before its presentation to Council for endorsement in 2025.