Parramatta's innovative plan to improve parking in the CBD
As Parramatta continues to grow, so does the demand for accessible transport options and public car parking. In September 2021, we consulted the community on the Parramatta CBD Parking Strategy which included short, medium and long-term options to support the provision of parking in the Parramatta CBD, as well as a number of innovative solutions to improve parking. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.
To ensure that the needs of our residents, visitors and workers are met, in April 2022 Council approved a program to revamp parking in our CBD. Soon, you will see upgrades in Council-run car parks. These include improving the appearance of car parks; installing the latest parking technology to increase efficiency, as well as electric vehicle charging stations. Council will also work with local businesses and private parking providers to increase available parking by accessing unused spaces.
Short Term Actions
- Commence the Expression of Interest process for Smart Parking technology
- Replace and update CBD directional parking signage to make it easier for visitors to find parking
- Progress discussions with key private parking owners to identify any spare parking capacity that could be used as an overflow option; and investigate secondary sites outside of the CBD that could provide supplementary parking
- Convert the Eat Street car park to visitor (short term) parking only (less than 4 hours); to provide greater access to parking for nearby Eat Street retailers and visitors.
Medium Term Actions (12months – 2years)
- Increase, with a staged approach, on-street metered parking on the City fringe to create additional all day parking capacity
- Re-invest capital in Eat Street, Parramatta Station and Justice Precinct car parks to improve usage, functionality and customer experience. This will include incorporating electric vehicle charging stations in each CBD car park
- Install shade structures on the exposed upper decks of Eat Street, Parramatta Station and Justice Precinct, to allow greater use of these spaces. Install photovoltaic cells (solar panels) in the shade structures at each of the multi-level car parks to improve energy consumption
- Investigate the merits of demand-based pricing across the car parks
- Realign the pricing structure of long stay parking, making it consistent with other major suburban CBDs.
Long Term Actions (2years +)
- Develop a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the former Fennell Street car park site as a commercial development that includes public parking.
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