18/11/2024
Comments sought on Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy Refresh through to December 13, 2024
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is encouraging interested people to comment on the Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy Refresh until Friday, December 13, 2024.
TRC Transport and Drainage Planning portfolio spokesperson Cr Trevor Manteufel said residents could offer their views by visiting Councilâs Your Say page, yoursay.tr.qld.gov.au/parking-strategy
Cr Manteufel said Council was keen to seek responses from residents, business owners, shoppers and workers about how, when and where they visited or parked in Toowoombaâs CBD and the Region more broadly.
âCouncil appreciates how the availability of on and off-street car parking plays an important role in supporting the businesses and services that are offered across the Region,â Cr Manteufel said.
âIt is appropriate to seek feedback from all CBD businesses and visitors, considering the existing Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy was implemented in 2019 to address the requirements at that time.
âThe Regionâs population has grown in recent years, along with changes to business activities and transport services, in addition to a greater interest in how Council manages the provision of parking in Toowoombaâs CBD and the wider Region.
âOngoing development and investment have changed the range and operating hours of businesses in the CBD. We need to understand how these changes have shaped peopleâs behaviour.
âFor these reasons, it is timely to refresh the Regionâs parking strategy with clear aims to develop a more efficient, user-friendly and sustainable system that meets current and future needs for our growing communities.
âThe refreshed strategy will focus on improving the use of the city centreâs available Council-operated parking, as well as parking around key destinations, such as schools, hospitals, sporting facilities and industrial areas. We are also seeking feedback about parking in regional centres. In addition to car parking, Council is exploring parking for alternative modes of transport, such as bikes and e-scooters, as well as electric vehicle charging facilities.
âCouncil recognises that as our city grows, the demand for parking in Toowoombaâs CBD is increasing. There is a competing need for all-day worker parking and short to medium-stay customer parking, which is vital for business turnover.
âFeedback will also help Council identify efficiencies in parking options that will benefit business owners, shoppers and workers.
âCouncil is seeking a broad cross section of respondents to complete the survey to give the most accurate picture of current parking trends.â
Community feedback will be used to inform the development of the draft Toowoomba Region Parking Strategy. Residents will have a chance to comment on the draft strategy before its presentation to Council for endorsement in 2025.
Across the Region there has been changes in population, business activities and transportation patterns, signifying a need for revision to the Toowoomba Parking Strategy