The Greater Geelong Council agreed to release a draft of its Central Geelong Parking Strategy for community feedback for an eight-week period in early 2023.
The draft Strategy outlines six key strategic moves, which are taking a precinct-based approach, using smart technology, explore shared parking, use of partnerships, advocate for greater investment in public transport, and the reinvestment of parking revenue.
Cr Kylie Grzybek, who introduced the amendment to push the community feedback period from six weeks out to eight, emphasised the importance of public transport in the strategy.
“I won’t necessarily say whether I agree with the draft yet or not, but one thing I do agree with at this point in time is to advocate for greater investment in public transport,” Cr Grzybek said.
“Geelong is the place to be, but if you cannot find either a park or public transport to get to the CBD, in my view that hinders us being a great, clever and creative city.”
The Parking Strategy, which commenced in 2017, has been an ongoing saga for Council, as Councillor Eddy Kontelj acknowledged.
“We’ve spent a lot of time talking about parking, that is true, but the reason for that is that we still don’t have it right,” Cr Kontelj said.
“We need an effective parking model in our city so this is an important item of discussion and we want the community to engage with it.”
Cr Belinda Moloney also expressed frustration with the length of time the Council has spent on the strategy.
“I’m really tired of seeing this strategy document,” she said.
Cr Moloney also brought up concerns about an over-reliance on smart technology in the strategy.
“There’s a big push for smart cities, smart tech, sensors, all the things that involve cashless payments,” Cr Moloney said.
“That does exclude a whole sector of individuals who don’t have the digital capacity to do it.”
The overriding message from Council was an encouragement for community members to engage with the feedback process.
“If you want free on street parking, tell us, if you want more parking, tell us, if you want accessing parking and paying for it to be simpler, tell us,” Cr Kontelj said.
“We really want to explicitly know what you are thinking and what you want us to do.
“I really do urge community feedback so that we get the right model moving forward.”
