Drivers' feedback steers draft parking plan

Thursday 3 October, 2024

Feedback from drivers and local residents has steered the creation of a new draft Tamworth Regional Parking Strategy which is now on public exhibition with the aim of getting more input from the community.

Tamworth Regional Council senior transport engineer, Nicholas Smith, said the Tamworth Regional Parking Strategy will add to the forward looking car parking planning which formed the first strategy in 2020.

“Our region is steadily growing and it’s important we evolve how we manage our parking network to align with how drivers are moving around and where they are needing a parking space,” he said. “The draft strategy is guided by a survey we did last year asking drivers and local residents whether the available parking was meeting their needs. Councillors have also been involved in discussions and guided what the actions the strategy should include.”

Mr Smith said the 333 responses received through the survey was the starting point for developing improvement to parking across the region - particularly within the Tamworth CBD where there is the highest number of vehicle movements and demand for parking.

“This strategy proposes some major parking changes – with the first 13 of those to be in place before the end of this year,” he said. “It’s all about overcoming the frustrations the community has told us about.

“Firstly, the biggest change – a win for anyone working in the CBD - is to remove parking meters from all off-street parking areas in the Tamworth CBD.

“Secondly, with the aim of increasing availability of parking for shorter stays in the CBD we will be changing two-hour parking in the Town Hall Car Park to three hours and three-hour parking in the Tamworth Community Centre Car Park will become all-day parking.

“Thirdly, to reduce the high number of drivers who overstay in timed parking areas, we are embracing new technology with licence place recognition cameras mounted on vehicles to monitor timed parking more efficiently.

“And fourthly, to increase the turnover of parking spots in Peel Street and reduce traffic congestion from drivers going around the CBD when drivers are looking for a parking spot, we will introduce paid meter parking on Peel Street between White Street and Bourke Street.”

Mr Smith explained the proposed changes are modelled on industry best practice and to ensure that Council has a sustainable income stream to maintain and improve parking infrastructure across the region.

“It’s important to take a regional approach because as our community continues to grow private vehicle ownership continues to rise,” he said.

All community members are encouraged to go our Have Your Say page to read the strategy and understand how the proposed actions will help reduce current parking pain points.

After the public exhibition ends, all feedback received will be included in a report to be presented to the incoming Councillors for their consideration in deciding whether to endorse the strategy.