A cost/benefit analysis of complimentary parking in Shepparton’s central business district has been delayed due to COVID-19 and availability of key consultants.
The report, which will form the basis for a decision on future free timed parking, was to be presented to the May 17 meeting but will now be ready for the June meeting.
In February, four months of complimentary parking ended despite pleas from the business sector, including the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for it to continue due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, Greater Shepparton City Council voted to complete a comprehensive analysis of the extended trial so councillors had detailed information to consider any future trials or a permanent change.
The report will include a parking inventory and occupancy survey in Shepparton’s central business district being undertaken by Real Time Traffic Pty Ltd.
This will provide up-to-date information on the type of parking spaces and associated restrictions in the central business district and how they are being utilised daily.
Geografia Pty Ltd is compiling an economic transaction analysis to measure the economic impacts of complimentary parking and comparison with Benalla, Bendigo, Horsham and Traralgon that have paid and complimentary parking models.
Council only received critical data in late April.
The May deadline was designed to allow the report to be used as the basis for a decision on whether or not to include a more permanent free timed parking model in the 2022-23 council budget.
The new June deadline means the final report will be presented at the same meeting as the final budget, but this will not rule out inclusion of any parking initiative.