Ipswich City Council will not consider increasing parking fees until appropriate investigations have been completed.
Infrastructure and Emergency Management Committee Chairperson Cr Cheryl Bromage said the current parking pricing structure would remain pending a report on a new charging structure.
“It is proposed to prepare a Parking Pricing Strategy. The strategy will identify the most appropriate parking pricing framework and fee structure for Ipswich, including recommendations in relation to future price increases and revenue expenditure options,” she said.
“Once complete, this strategy will be reported to council. In the interim, it is proposed that the current parking pricing structure remain.”
Cr Bromage said a council report on parking meter technology and pricing structure had considered several options going forward, including new hardware, fees and user mobility applications.
“Given the recent advancements in smart technologies, it is anticipated that traditional parking meters will be replaced with alternative technologies in the medium to long term,” she said.
“This includes, but is not limited to, smart poles that are also capable of parking management. As such, a significant investment into the current pay-and-display meters to install a pay-by-plate component is not recommended.
“The benefits, issues, timeframes and costs (including loss of revenue) associated with implementing an initial free period is something that would require further in depth investigation.
“Council’s current parking meters have the capability to be programmed to allow this functionality. This will also be further considered through the development of the Parking Pricing Strategy.”
Cr Bromage said council was also considering a mobile phone payment system for parking meters and introducing camera recognition technology. These and other options would be considered in an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Strategy due to be completed before the end of 2018.
