The Palmerston City Centre is set to get 365 free parking spaces, a boost to City Centre businesses and visitation.

City of Palmerston recently undertook a review to understand how parking in the City Centre currently functions, then explored a range of options to try to address the concerns raised by residents, traders and visitors.

The study involved parking surveys and car park occupancy sampling, reviewing the policy framework and investigating parking principles and best current practice. 

The results of this study informed the development of the Palmerston City Centre Parking Study: Background Report, Parking Strategy and Implementation Plan, with prioritised actions to ensure parking across the City Centre is well managed and meets the needs of the community and business owners.

Proposed prioritised actions or amendments to parking management in the Palmerston City Centre:

• Council will introduce 365 free car parks across all timed parking areas; (a valid ticket must be displayed), making 42% of Council parking spaces free. 
• There will be no increase to all-day parking cost, remaining at $4.00; 386 all-day car parks are available.
• Reducing the hours that parking will be regulated from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, for greater convenience. 
• Parking on weekends and public holidays will remain free with no parking time limits or enforcement.
• Council will introduce a car parking app to provide more payment options for users.
• Parking permits will be made available for a 3-month period. 
• Minor changes to current parking zones to be consistent with best practice for the provision of parking spaces.
• Council will be actively enforcing parking time limits to ensure effective turnover of spaces.

Council is encouraging feedback from the community, local businesses and building owners regarding the proposed changes by Wednesday 17 April 2019.

Council will be speaking to City Centre visitors, businesses who operate in the City Centre and building owners. Pop-up stalls will also be held at the Palmerston Shopping Centre to provide feedback.

Subject to consultation, the proposed changes will be in effect from 1 July 2019.

For more information, and to view the Palmerston City Centre Parking Study documentation click here. 

Quote from City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell 

This Council committed to reviewing City Centre car parking and recognises the importance of building Palmerston as ‘A Place for People’. 

One practical way for Council to deliver this is to ensure parking across the City Centre is well managed and suited to the needs of the City Centre. Effective parking promotes movement, creates a sense of place encourages economic growth and meets the needs of the community and business owners.

Council believes these changes will support local business and increase convenience for the community.