Parking changes across city

THE City of Greater Geelong council will continue free parking in central Geelong locations, but parking rates will increase across the city next month.
The council voted to extend free parking in central Geelong’s on-street two-hour parking zones until the end of December, as part of the council’s coronavirus community and economic support package.
The council resolved at a meeting in late March to provide free casual parking across all zones until the end of June, as an immediate response to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The free parking in 2P zone initiative aims to encourage short-term visitors to central Geelong, as the number of traders operating under eased COVID-19 restrictions rise.
“The city centre has seen a lift in activity in recent weeks, but more support is needed for both small business and visitors,” acting Geelong mayor Kylie Grzybek said.
“The free parking in two-hour zones provides further incentive for people to enjoy the variety of shopping, dining and cultural attractions in central Geelong and the Waterfront.”
Existing free parking will continue until August 2, with strict time zones and payments being reintroduced on August 3.
New fees, which council adopted in its 2020-21 budget, will come into effect on the same day.
Casual on-street parking fees will increase by $0.10 to $3.10 per hour. All-day capped street parking will rise from $5.80 to $6.40, with all-day spaces in the Haymarket car park increasing by $0.50 to $13.50.
The city is also preparing to resume its off-street permit parking system on August 3. Existing permit holders will have the option to restart payments to access the permitted spaces; maintain their suspension; or cancel the permit if it is no longer required.
Motorists are encouraged to comply with time restrictions across all parking spaces and zones until the new measures are in place.
About 90 per cent of shops have re-opened in central Geelong’s major shopping centres, with about 60 per cent of on-street premises also resuming trade.
The parking initiatives are contained in the City of Greater Geelong council’s new $5.2m community and economy support package, which responds to the impacts of COVID-19.