Parking solutions are key to revitalisation of CBD
A VIBRANT CBD is important to both Toowoomba’s liveability and the city’s economy.
Ensuring there is a mix of parking options available to shoppers as well as businesses located in the CBD is critical to the health of our city heart.
The Toowoomba Regional Council has conducted extensive community consultation with the CBD business community and feedback received is being incorporated into an overall CBD parking strategy.
Chamber has been working with the council to support a number of parking initiatives as part of that strategy.
Next week a trial to increase the turnover of parking spaces throughout the Toowoomba CBD will be implemented.
Under the trial, the current two-hour centre parking on Ruthven Street (between Herries Street and Chalk Drive) and on Margaret Street (between Victoria and Ruthven Streets) will be changed to onehour.
The kerbside short-stay car parking and spaces allocated for person’s with disabilities, and for other purposes, will not change.
Chamber supports this trial as it will assist in greater turnover of customers and improved availability of parking spaces for customers which will support retailers and food outlets throughout the CBD.
This change is to free centre street parking only in the CBD.
If you need to stay longer in the CBD there are plenty of options including free parking at Grand Central for up to three hours and longer term parking available in council carparks around the CBD including Neil and Annand Street, the Bus interchange, Station Street and Chalk drive etc.
The change to one-hour free parking is part of a broader discussion Chamber is having with Council in the development of an overall CBD parking strategy.
It is important to ensure a mix of parking options throughout the CBD with a particular focus on parking for customers as well as parking for staff of the businesses located in the CBD.
We need to make sure that the CBD remains an attractive place for businesses to base themselves and this includes ensuring there is adequate long-term lease car park options for the staff of these businesses. Having a good mix of businesses located in the CBD is critical to its future vibrancy, in driving sustainable CBD activation, increased trade and visitation to the CBD.
The introduction of this one-hour free trial is a positive step forward. Chamber will continue discussions with the council regarding the need for long term carpark leasing options for businesses located in the CBD, along with prioritising the 124 Margaret Street development which will open up easy access to 3-hour parking.
The trial of the free onehour parking will begin on Monday, August 5. If you would like to view the various parking options in and around the CBD, parking maps are available from the council and Toowoomba Chamber. Let’s continue to work together to ensure our CBD remains a fabulous place to visit, to shop and to locate a business.