Urgent Business tabled at the Community Focus Council Meeting of Council on 9 April 2019 which was held at the Vines Road Community Centre, 37-61 Vines Road, Hamlyn Heights.
Note: Introduction of Urgent Business requires two-thirds majority of Councillors present.
Councillor Kontelj proposes to raise the following item as Urgent Business:
Councillor Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Sullivan seconded -
That Council considers as Urgent Business a motion concerning Parking in Central Geelong.
Carried.
The Geelong CBD is in a period of transition. In order to create a thriving and sustainable economy, a vibrant culture and to become a destination that attracts local, national and international visitors, it is imperative that Council explore and trial initiatives which have the potential to stimulate, activate and revitalise Geelong, whilst also support and promote local business, markets and products and improve social connections in our community.
The Geelong community have long been requesting equitable and flexible parking solutions for our CBD. Currently, the Geelong CBD is the only area of Geelong which demands parking fee payments for on-street parking.
The recent Central Geelong Car Parking Discussion Paper (survey) did not specifically seek feedback from the community regarding their wants, views and opinions as to whether the Geelong CBD should have areas of free on-street parking. As such this question will not be answered through this survey.
There is an opportunity to trial a ‘First 30-minutes Free’ in all 2P on-street parking zones in the Geelong CBD. The trial is proposed to provide people parking in the Geelong CBD with their first 30-minutes free, and will run from 1 December 2019 until 30 November 2020. Information collected from the trial can be used to inform Council’s future car parking strategy and guide future parking decisions and initiatives for the Geelong CBD. The trial requires a budget allocation for estimated foregone on-street parking revenue and an investment in smart parking technology.
Utilising smart parking technology as an enabler during the parking trial will have the potential to introduce efficiencies and effectiveness into Council operations and provide evidence-based parking data. This will allow Council to identify parking challenges and opportunities and will make accurate information available to influence and inform the Central Geelong Car Parking Strategy and guide future parking decisions and initiatives. Implementation of any smart parking technology should include configuration and set up of parking meters, implementing all required changes and marketing, promoting and educating community on the parking trial.
Two other matters relevant to parking in the Geelong CBD are:
On the 8 April 2014 Council adopted a ’15-minute grace period’ which enables parkers to get back to their vehicle before parking time limits are enforced. This has generally been well received. There is still a need, however, to continue to promote this initiative and explain its intention and how it is applied.
The City also supports the Returned Service Personnel Parking Permit which is a permit that waives any fees associated with parking in Central Geelong for those who have served Australia in active military service.
Councillor Kontelj moved, Councillor Nelson seconded -
That Council:
Adopt a 12-month parking trial as follows:
Offer a once-off ‘First 30-minutes Free’ in all 2P on-street parking zones in the CBD;
To be conducted over two subsequent financial years: 2019/2020 and 2020/2021; and
To commence 1 December 2019 and conclude 30 November 2020;
In the 2019/20 budget:
Create a provision of up to $1,117,000 in the 2019/2020 budget for estimated foregone on-street parking revenue;
Allocate $500,000 in the 2019/2020 budget to acquire and implement new Smart Parking Technology such as ‘pay by phone app’;
Refer to the 2020/2021 budget for consideration a provision of up to $798,000 for estimated foregone on-street parking revenue;
Should provision not be made in the 2020/2021 budget as in 7.3 above, the parking trial is to cease on the 30 June 2020;
Request the CEO:
Consider introducing number plate recognition parking technology;
Establish measures that will provide Council quantitative data directly related to ‘before and after’ impacts of the parking trial;
Report to Council by 30 November 2020 on the impacts of the 12-month parking trial and the impacts on the outcomes of the Central Geelong Car Parking Discussion Paper, including any recommendations for measures which may have the potential to offset the estimated forgone revenue from the 30 minutes Free on-street parking initiative;
Reinforce and promote proper intended application of the 15-minute grace period after parking expiry time, which was adopted by Council on the 8 April 2014; and
Reinforce and promote current Returned Service Personnel Parking Permit.
Carried.
Councillor Murrihy moved, Councillor Sullivan seconded –
That debate continue beyond 10.00pm as per 3.31.2 of the Council Meetings Procedure Local Law.
Carried.
Debate resumed.
Division Requested:
For: Councillors Aitken, Grzybek, Kontelj, Nelson, Asher, Sullivan
Against:Councillors Murrihy, Murnane, Mason, Harwood, Mansfield
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 10:07pm on Tuesday 9 April 2019.
Signed: _________________________________________
Councillor Bruce Harwood (Mayor)
Date of Confirmation: _____________________________
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