Eighteen months of community consultation helped shape the CBD Parking Strategy, which was endorsed by an Ordinary Meeting of Ballarat City Council last night (14/12).

The CBD Parking Strategy provides Council with a blueprint for Council to plan effectively for Ballarat’s car parking needs as the city’s population continues to grow.

The Strategy aims to promote the efficient use of parking through the proposed adoption of short stay parking restrictions, new signage and safer off street parking areas.

City of Ballarat Lead Councillor for the CBD Strategy Cr Craig Fletcher said the Strategy was essential in responding to existing parking needs and for satisfying the future parking needs of the CBD.

“We all expect to find a car park directly outside where we want to go, but the reality is that in a vibrant retail and commercial environment such as the Ballarat CBD, we can’t expect that this will be the case forever.

“The main issues identified in the consultation stage were the perceived lack of available parking and the operating hours of the multi deck car parks.

“These, along with the provision of new spaces, installation of new wayfinding signage, varying of current time restrictions to allow for more short term parking and a rationalisation of loading zones have been identified as some of the immediate actions Council will implement as part of the Strategy.

“An 18 month community consultation process was carried out in order to formulate the Strategy, this consultation will continue throughout the implementation stage with Council committed to working collaboratively with the community and local businesses throughout the life of the Strategy.”

A website survey and series of public forums were held in September and October in 2010. Briefings were also held with the Ballarat Regional Tourism Board and Commerce Ballarat in November 2011.