Locations found for 100 car parks, 900 to go

AFTER years of land assessment and planning from Regional Development Victoria, some progress has been made on the Labor Party’s 2018 election commitment for more free city parking.

Three sites for 100 of the 1000 promised and State-funded free parks have been identified.

Fifty all-day parks will be introduced beside the Eastern Oval, 30 timed spots will be created on Market Street to service Ballarat Library customers, and 20 all-day parks will be added to White Flat Oval behind Federation TAFE.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said a feasibility study has launched for the remaining 900 parks within the commitment, considering cost-effectiveness, engineering potential and locals’ needs.

“We’re looking at the community interest in a number of sites,” she said.

“We’re considering up to 300 new carparks at Bakery Hill and Little Bridge Street, up to 300 multi-level spaces at Armstrong Street at the Federation University SMB campus and up to 300 multi-level spaces at Anderson Street west on the boundary of the Yarrowee Creek.

“Very importantly, we are also looking at putting 300 to 400 more carparks in at the Ballarat Base Hospital site. Ballarat Health Services is the largest employer of the region. That precinct is very busy with staff, visitors, in-patients, outpatients, and getting a park around there is very challenging.”

Ms Addison said the project will “relieve congestion” and encourage more action within the centre of town.

“We know a lot of our traders have struggled. We want to bring people into the City of Ballarat, and these additional carparks are going to bring them in to support local traders and local cafes, and bring more vibrancy to our fantastic CBD,” she said.

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney said spaces for hospitality and retail workers are much-needed.

“These free car spaces are going to be really useful, on the fringe within a couple of walking blocks of the CBD,” he said.

“Ideally, we have customers parking on the street outside shops, getting quick and easy access, and hopefully these additional spaces will be great for those who are working in the city.”

City of Ballarat CEO Evan King said the White Flat, Market Street and Eastern Oval parking areas will be managed by the municipality.

“Works on the other more significant options will be discussed, and we’ll analyse who is the best entity to run, manage and own those going forward,” he said.