Parking in Shepparton’s central business district will be free in December and January each year, after Greater Shepparton City Council voted to update its parking strategy.
It will also continue providing free, timed parking in council’s eight off-street car parks in the CBD.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the two-month free-parking period aimed to balance the financial interests of council.
“It also aims to provide residents and visitors with a positive shopping experience when visiting our CBD traders during the Christmas and New Year periods,” he said.
In August, the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry requested a complimentary parking period of four months, from November to February, which had been implemented to boost post-COVID-19 recovery in 2021.
However, council noted a recent analysis by Geografia, which found the overall change in spending was not greatly significant in Shepparton during the free-parking period.
It also estimated a loss of income for council through complimentary on-street parking at $1.37 million, along with $250,000 a year from free off-street parking in council-owned car parks.
Cr Sali said the income received from parking was partially used for CBD improvement projects and promotions, and school crossing programs.
“We also have plenty of complimentary off-street parking spaces available, which provides options to cater for people who don’t want to use the PayStay app or coins,” he said.
Council has trialled a number of parking initiatives in the CBD in the past few years, aiming to increase economic activity and improve visitor experience.
Cr Sali said it was important to note many off-street car parks were often not utilised to full capacity.
“With all of this information before councillors, it was considered appropriate to continue to provide complimentary off-street parking and paid on-street parking,” he said.
“Councillors are confident the CBD has a strong future and look forward to seeing its continued growth and prosperity, particularly as we move towards the completion of the Maude St Mall redevelopment.”
The decision was not unanimous among councillors, with Sam Spinks, Seema Abdullah and Dinny Adem voting against the motion.
Geoff Dobson declared a conflict of interest and was not part of the discussion or vote.
Time limits still apply on parking, and fines are issued for overstaying.
For information on parking in Greater Shepparton, visit greatershepparton.com.au/council/parking-enforcement