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                    Parking and Kerbside Management Plan

                    A parked car in an inner city street.
                    Good parking management helps keep the city moving. Our plan is to make parking simpler, fairer and more reliable.

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                    What is kerbside space? 

                    Public space in our busy capital city is limited and in high d​emand. The city continues to grow and change and the way we use our streets and spaces continues to evolve. 

                    Kerbside space is an important transfer point for people and goods into our city. It accommodates many functions that keep our city operating. These include loading and unloading goods, access for people with disability and space for people arriving or leaving by public transport, car share, taxi or private vehicle.

                    Currently:

                    • Over 900,000 people are in the city on an average weekday.
                    • More than 159,000 people live in our 102,000 residences.
                    • We have 23,000 kerbside spaces across the municipality’s 37 square kilometres. We allocate 17,000 of those spaces for car parking. There are almost 200,000 off-street car parking spaces.
                    • Space at the kerbside (including space for parking) makes up only 4 per cent of the total space on our streets. 

                    To learn more about how our kerbside space is being used in 2023, ​ read page 9 of the plan.

                    We need to manage the different and sometimes conflicting demands on kerbside space as our city changes​. Our goal is to make sure it functions in the best way possible to benefit our businesses, residents and visitors.

                    Developing the plan

                    We informed the Parking and Kerbside Management Plan through engagement with businesses, residents and visitors, the Victorian Government and the transport sector. More than 400 people and organisations made this plan possible, as well as 1,000 parking users who shared their experience of parking in the CBD.

                    Council endorsed the final plan on 16 May 2023​, committing to manage parking with a data-led, transparent approach that regularly engages with the local community to review and refresh parking conditions.

                    This is our plan to make parking simpler, fairer and more reliable. It includes seven strategic directions and 14 policies to guide our decisions.

                    Strategic directions

                    Strategic and data-led management approach

                    ​​We’ll transition to a best practice approach to kerbside management. This will include engaging regularly with stakeholders, making data-driven strategic adjustments to parking controls and investing in technology. Our parking enforcement will be proactive, proportionate, responsive, and data-driven.

                    Read more on page 18, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​ (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Customers at the centre of decision making

                    ​We’ll prioritise customer needs in managing kerbside space and on-street parking. We’ll publish information about restrictions and pricing. We’ll also refresh parking controls and signage to make sure they are standardised, simple and intuitive. We’ll introduce a pricing model based on demand, review how we enforce parking rules, and consider applying pricing to other uses of the kerbside.

                    Read more on page 19, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​ (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Regular reviews of kerbside functionality

                    ​We’ll review parking in each neighbourhood to assess how our kerbside space is functioning. We’ll base each local review on evidence and data and use it to inform updated kerbside space allocation and parking controls. We’ll also develop a strategic communications plan to help the community understand how we’ll manage parking.

                    Read more on page 20, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​ (PDF 4.6 MB)​​

                    Equitable, inclusive access to kerbside space

                    ​We’ll provide fair and inclusive kerbside spaces by setting user restrictions according to a hierarchy of need. We’ll also apply the lowest possible parking prices that will manage demand. We’ll improve the location of accessible parking to make sure we have the right number of spaces in the right locations. We’ll also improve the quality of accessible parking spaces by improving their design, finding innovative solutions to improve accessibility and providing clearer information, signage and line marking.

                    Read more on page 21, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Financially sustainable parking service

                    ​We’ll base parking fees on the value of kerbside space to users. This will prevent ratepayers from subsidising parking. Fees should cover the cost of providing and maintaining the parking service and infrastructure. We’ll direct surplus parking fee revenue to public realm projects, such as improving connections that help people walk to parking. We’ll create efficiencies and reduce operating costs using policies, data and technology.

                    Read more on page 22,  Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Align with other strategic commitments

                    ​Improved kerbside management will support the delivery of our broader strategic commitments. We’ll release car parking spaces for other needs as required. These include new public spaces, urban forest, sustainable transport and economic activity. We’ll support emissions reduction policies by ensuring efficient access to parking spaces. We’ll prioritise public realm projects contributing to safety and amenity over parking. We’ll develop a Parking Permit Policy that includes digital permits and encourages thoughtful community use of kerbside space.

                    Read more on page 22, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Encourage alternatives to on-street parking

                    ​Only five per cent of the parking spaces in the municipality are metered and on the street. We’ll promote alternative transport options including off-street parking, park and ride, public transport, walking, cycling, and car share. We’ll manage parking according to best practice. We’ll work with off-street parking providers, city businesses and stakeholders to explore future roles in parking ownership and management.

                    Read more on page 23, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Guiding Policies

                    Apply the hierarchy of space uses to support consistent decision making

                    Where the kerbside needs to support multiple uses, we’ll use a hierarchy to support consistent decision making. We’ll use parking controls and kerbside restrictions to accommodate high priority uses first. Decisions about how streets support movement and place-making will be made independent of this hierarchy of kerbside use.

                    Read more on page 24, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Use a range of kerbside management tools where needed to increase parking availability and reliability

                    ​We’ll apply the right management tools in the correct order and circumstances. With suitable parking controls, the service is reliable for customers and the kerbside meets the specific needs of each neighbourhood. We’ll use fewer parking controls in areas with high parking availability. Where availability is low, we’ll use controls to make sure there are spaces available.

                    Read more on page 25, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Support conversion of parking spaces to other uses where this meets a strategic need

                    ​As our city continues to grow and change, our streets will evolve to meet community needs. We’ll regularly review and adjust our parking management settings, based on evidence and stakeholder engagement. This will make sure that on-street parking meets policy goals and optimises value to the community. Parking spaces could be used for important city infrastructure like trees, wider footpaths, tram stops, dining areas or open space. They can also be used for parking alternative vehicles like motorcycles, scooters or bicycles.

                    Read more on page 26, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Use standardised street layouts to create consistency and an intuitive experience

                    ​We’ll use standard street layouts to create a consistent and balanced mix of kerbside uses and a simpler parking experience. This is particularly relevant in the central city and areas with a mix of land uses and high demand for space. In some cases, the standard layout may need to be changed due to limited space, nearby land use or specific local needs. When deciding how to allocate space, we’ll prioritise the best interest of the broader community and precinct.


                    Use a wide range of data and information to inform neighbourhood parking reviews

                    ​We’ll use a strategic approach to review parking in each neighbourhood, every year. Minor changes may be possible on a case-by-case basis.  We'll use data and land use information to better understand local parking conditions and needs. Our reviews will include professional assessment of parking safety and reliability, community input, parking data and major project plans. To be fair and consistent, we will assess all non-urgent, minor and strategic improvements at the next annual review.

                    Read more on page 28. Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Continually engage with the community about parking and kerbside management

                    ​We’ll regularly engage our community and stakeholders about changes to kerbside space. We'll share how and why we make decisions, raise awareness during change and take feedback afterward. We’ll provide clear and transparent data and communications. We'll consider diverse communities and people with specific needs. 

                    Make parking signs as simple and consistent as possible

                    ​We’ll use simple, consistent parking signs, markings and instructions. This will help drivers understand the rules and what they need to do. These controls should provide reliable parking and be consistent in their time periods. We’ll use less panels on a single pole wherever we can to make parking conditions clear, simple and legible. We will also reduce maintenance costs by avoiding custom signs.

                    Read more on page 30, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Use parking pricing to help manage demand in a transparent and responsive way

                    ​We’ll move to a pricing model based on demand. Setting price based on the demand for local parking at a given time of day will improve parking availability. The goal is to maintain an average five to 15 per cent parking availability within an area. We'll make information about our pricing and decision-making clear and easy to access. 

                    Read more on page 31, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Use technology to enhance our parking service

                    ​We’ll use technology to improve customer experience, management efficiency and data collection. Smart meters, pay-by-phone and pay-by-plate options can improve the parking experience for customers. Sensors, cameras, digital signs and information can improve communication, driver compliance and parking efficiency. We’ll explore strategic partnerships to trial new parking and kerbside management technologies. These technologies can address specific management challenges and improve the kerbside experience.

                    Read more on page 33, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Develop a Strategic Parking Permit Policy

                    ​We’ll develop a Parking Permit Policy that makes better use of our existing kerbside space. Permits aim to allow people with a genuine need to access parking. We'll consider permits for the highest priority users with needs that are not catered for by general parking controls. We'll use consistent guiding principles to manage demand and support equitable and fair access to parking. We’ll also make sure ratepayers that do not park on the street are not subsidising a residential parking permit scheme.

                    Read more on page 36, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Use a customer-focused enforcement approach

                    ​Our approach to parking enforcement will be customer-focused and prioritise voluntary compliance. We’ll focus on the safe, efficient use of streets and equitable, reliable access to parking. We'll support this approach with simple parking controls. Enforcement revenue will cover our operational costs. We'll use any surplus revenue to improve customer awareness, experience and parking options. We’ll use our data, community and officer insights to prompt and inform reviews of parking controls and information.

                    Read more on page 37, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​ (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Prioritise access to the kerbside for shared and commercial transport

                    ​We’ll support kerbside access for modes of transport that keep our city functioning. These include public transport, delivery vehicles, commercial passenger vehicles, car share services and commercial coaches. We’ll work with these stakeholders to plan for and provide for their access to the kerbside. We’ll monitor the parking demand and availability for these users, and look for ways to improve their kerbside efficiency.

                    Read more on page 38, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Provide parking opportunities for two-wheeled vehicles

                    ​We’ll use policies to provide for the growth in motorcycles, bicycles, scooters and various forms of micromobility. We’ll plan to allocate space on the street to reduce demand for parking on the footpath. We'll also use pedestrian data to find and address areas of footpath congestion. To make sure parking remains reliable, we'll follow the plan's hierarchy and policies when we need street space to park these vehicles.

                    Read more on page 41, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    Improve parking within parks and gardens

                    ​We’ll minimise the parking in parks and gardens while making sure we support access for users with specific needs. Park master planning may determine that the park would benefit by converting car parking to other uses. Where this occurs, we’ll review the nearby on-street parking. Where there is a high demand for local parking, on-street parking should favour park users and discourage commuters.

                    Read more on page 41, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan​​  (PDF 4.6 MB)​

                    ​Delivering on the plan

                    As we deliver our Parking and Kerbside Management Plan, we’re reviewing and revising the parking in all neighbourhoods across the City of Melbourne to make parking simpler and fairer. Improvements include cheaper rates for off-peak times, plus reviewing and repositioning accessible parking spaces to improve location and accessibility. Find out more at better parking​.​

                    Have your say 

                    We’ve also started reviewing, engaging the community and improving par​king in other neighbourhoods across the municipality. You can follow the progress of our neighbourhood parking reviews​​ on Participate Melbourne and get involved by sharing your parking experience with us at any time. ​​

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