A parking trial, aimed to increase the turnover of parking spaces in the Toowoomba CBD, has revealed positive results since the trial began on 5 August 2019. The early result of the trial, which expires at the end of October, shows a significant increase in the turnover of parking spaces available for customers.
Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Committee portfolio leader Councillor James O’Shea said the year on year comparison for August had shown the turnover rate more than doubled since the implementation of the trial with all the feedback received so far incredibly useful. “In August 2018 the average turnover rate was approximately 1400 vehicles per day compared to August this year where the average turnover rate is approximately 3200 vehicles per day,” O’Shea said. “From what we’re hearing, some businesses are noticing an increase in customers, which in turn has increased their turnover. One business even stated they’ve experienced a 30 per cent increase in profits which is a great outcome.”
“Of course, not all of the businesses have experienced these sort of results, and where we can, we are trying to accommodate the needs of the entire community where possible,” he said. “An example of this is the change we made at the northern end of Ruthven Street. To help customers and visitors secure longer term parking options, Council has increased the timed paid parking on Bowen Street from two hours to three hours for the 13 parks closest to Ruthven Street.”
In addition to the current trial, Council is investigating the opportunity of introducing permit style parking across various parking locations in the CBD. “These pieces of work are all elements of a broader approach Council is undertaking as part of the CBD Car Parking Strategy review,” Cr O’Shea said. The CBD central car parking trial will be reviewed in November 2019.
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