Melbourne's council has proposed simpler signs, reworked loading zones and possible cheaper off-peak rates for CBD street parking, after a survey found most drivers struggled to find a space.
The City of Melbourne has put forward a plan to overhaul parking in the CBD, aimed at easing congestion. A council survey found more than 80 per cent of motorists had trouble finding an on-street park on their most recent visit, and up to 30 per cent of CBD traffic is thought to be drivers searching for a space.
On-street parking is only a small part of the picture. The council says there are about 1,800 paid on-street spaces in the CBD, less than 5 per cent of total capacity, while around 193,600 off-street spaces make up roughly 90 per cent of supply. More than 760,000 vehicle trips are made into and within the city each day.
The proposal includes clearer, simplified signage, changes to loading zones, more consistent layouts and time limits, and the possibility of lower rates at quieter times. The council expects clearer signs could cut parking fines by around 10 per cent. Some street spaces could also be given over to wider footpaths, tram infrastructure and open space. The top hourly rate of $7 would stay, with Lord Mayor Sally Capp saying there were no plans to raise it.
With street parking scarce and possibly shrinking, off-street spaces remain the backbone of CBD parking, which supports demand for privately owned and leased car spaces close to the city.
Source: ABC News — Melbourne CBD set for parking overhaul as part of council plans to reduce congestion
Photo: Tangerineduel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Corner of Collins and Exhibition streets in Melbourne's CBD.