Parking strategy

Residential street with carparks In September 2010, Council adopted a Strategy to manage parking in the City of Yarra.

The Strategy takes the form of seven actions, two of which are already completed (development of a user pays/paid parking policy and the review of the allocation of on-street parking). Those which are yet to be completed will be the subject of significant community consultation in 2011.

The strategy flows from Council's parking vision, goals and principles. The actions are:

A review of the Permit Parking scheme

Considerations:

Reduce the number of parking permits to coincide with supply
Use neighbourhood location to determine how many permits per household
Reduce permit eligibility for properties with off-street parking
Investigate and possibly trial a cap & trade system
Bring about behavioural change re number of cars per household
Large vehicles pay more for permits
Need to transition any change
Possible buy back of permits where reduction necessary
Offer something of value to encourage residents to give up permits

Development of agreed parking rates in relation to planning permits for various land uses

Considerations:
Develop criteria for instances where a "no car development" would be considered
Develop criteria for instances where a “substantially reduced car parking” development would be considered
Agree on parking rates for various land uses for planning permits.

Review of the Sustainable Transport policy

Considerations:
Review sustainable transport policy to verify alignment with Council Plan
Promote cycling, walking
Advocate for improved public transport
Develop a Bicycle Strategy / implement action plans

Development of a Disability Parking policy

Considerations:

Develop a Disability Parking Policy

Review of the Allocation of On-Street Parking policy and principles

Considerations:

Review the on street parking policy
Progressively remove unrestricted parking across the city (with resident exceptions as required)
Protect residents in residential streets
Deploy permit zones on one side of residential streets as the preferred model

Development of a User Pays/Paid parking policy

Considerations:

Investigate additional locations for ticket machines – if in interface areas between business and residential then exempt residents from fees in residential streets
Expand paid parking - ensure after hours restrictions apply in high demand areas
Deploy the principle that commuters/employees pay to park

Analysis of the impact of paid parking on business and the link between parking availability and the success of a business.

Considerations:

Analyse effect of paid parking on business
Raise awareness of public transport opportunities for visitors to our shopping strips
Conduct research on the link between car parking availability and the success of a business

Further information
Damien Patterson
Manager - Parking Services
9205 5462
Damien.Patterson@yarracity.vic.gov.au