On and off-street parking fees and charges across Toowoomba will increase from Monday, 5 July 2021.
All parking fees will increase by 10 cents per hour to a maximum additional charge of 50 cents per day in both on and off-street parking locations, except for Central Carpark which will remain at $1 per hour.
The parking fee increase is the first for Toowoomba since 2018 and is in line with the CPI (Cost Price Index) over the past three years, allowing Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) to keep pace with costs of maintenance, upgrading equipment and introducing new payment options.
Parking fees were due to rise in 2020 but TRC waived all parking charges in April that year as part of its $10.5 million stage one pandemic economic relief package.
At the same time, Council moved to defer the usual biennial increase to parking fees to continue to provide economic relief and support for city business.
A part of its annual Budget process, a new schedule of Fees and Charges for 2021-22 was adopted by Council at its Ordinary Meeting in March.
Infrastructure Services Portfolio Leader Councillor Melissa Taylor said it would be the first increase in parking fees and charges in three years.
"It's an appropriate time to make changes to the fees after deferring the increase in 2020 given the Region's circumstances in relation to COVID-19 have improved greatly since the same time last year," Cr Taylor said.
"Increases to Council's Fees and Charges assists Council with the costs of operating and maintaining our carparks along with progressively upgrading parking meters to facilitate payment by credit card and future smart parking initiatives.
"Motorists are reminded that free one-hour parking is still available on Ruthven and Margaret Streets in Toowoomba's CBD (in Margaret Street between Neil and Victoria Streets and Ruthven Street between Herries Street and Chalk Drive).
"Residents also can take advantage of a number of five and 10-minute parking bays in both Ruthven and Margaret Streets.
"Residents who need more than an hour for CBD appointments are reminded that Central Carpark, which can be accessed via Neil and Annand streets, offers an hourly rate of $1 up to a maximum of $3 for three hours, providing easy access to Margaret Street, through Carnival Lane, and Ruthven Street via Kwong Sang Walk.
"Weekly parking tickets are available at all of Council's off-street carparks excluding the Toowoomba Bus Station Carpark, with discounted weekly parking available at the Herries and Water Streets Car Park and Station Street Carpark."
Cr Taylor said Council continues to look for ways to improve parking services to ensure Toowoomba remains a modern and attractive city for residents and visitors alike.
"As the city continues to grow Council is planning for ongoing growth and development to make our city more user-friendly and accessible in the future," Cr Taylor said.
