Reverse on restrictions spurs call to reinstate free CBD parking
FREE parking may be reinstated throughout the Geelong CBD just days after ending, in a bid to support city businesses struggling with the return of the Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.
Free casual on and offstreet parking in the Geelong CBD was included in a COVID-19 support package passed by the city in March, with the measure coming to an end on Monday.
But, with regional Victoria’s move to Stage 3 stay-at-home restrictions at 11.59pm on Wednesday, councillor Eddy Kontelj has called on the city to reinstate the free CBD parking to encourage people to visit the city.
“I’ve asked the mayor and CEO to look at reinstating free parking until December,” Cr Kontelj said. “So I’ve asked whether it has to be a chamber item or whether we have to do it operationally.
“Everyone is just struggling at the moment, and if you’re not struggling financially you’re struggling emotionally, just with all the news that you’re seeing and hearing every day.
“So given that we’ve gone back to where we were two months ago, which is Stage 3, I’ve asked if we can reinstate the free parking in the CBD regardless of which time limit it is.”
Cr Kontelj said free parking would help support businesses and residents.
Cr Kontelj also said he would raise the matter as an urgent business item at Tuesday’s council meeting if need be.
The city’s regular paid parking system was reintroduced on Monday along with a price rise, with free parking continuing in on-street two-hour parking zones in the CBD for the rest of the year.
The city’s trial of 30-minute free parking in two-hour zones will remain on hold until January 1, when it will resume for a further six months.
Cr Kontelj may face some opposition to his move, after some councillors in June argued against the measure, with Cr Jim Mason claiming “free parking is irresponsible and is a serious waste of ratepayer assets and funds”.
Council officers in June found the suspension of all onstreet carparking fees for the remainder of the year would cost the city about $5 million in lost revenue.