Smart Parking to go live on 28 July

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is all set to press the ‘go live’ button to launch Smart Parking in the CBD on 28 July 2022.

TRC Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Melissa Taylor said the launch on 28 July has followed the installation of new pay stations and parking bay sensors with the release of Council’s Smart Parking App now available.

“More than 190 pay stations have been installed, along with more than 2500 in-ground vehicle detection sensors, in on-street and off-street parking bays,” Cr Taylor said.

“Motorists may have already noticed the old single-head parking meters have been removed as part of the project.

“The new pay stations are a mix of card and coin and card-only meters. Motorists will have the choice to pay by cash, credit or debit card, or via the new Council ‘Toowoomba Parking’ App. The ‘Toowoomba Parking’ App is now available for download on the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store however payment isn’t required until the launch on 28 July.

“The Smart Parking App has been customised for our parking needs. It will give users the ability to easily find available parking bays, offer contact-less payment and the option to extend parking time within the existing time limits.”

Cr Taylor said motorists who didn’t have a smart phone or similar device could still use cash or card at the on-street and off-street pay stations.

“The parking time limits – whether one, two and three hours or longer – will still apply across the CBD for on-street parking bays, while the time limits for all off-street car parks will remain the same,” she said.

“The Central Traffic Area is a maximum of three hours unless otherwise signed, however a bonus for motorists is that the first 30 minutes of on-street paid parking within the CBD will be free under the Smart Parking project.

“While the first 30 minutes is free, customers will still be required to use a parking meter or the app every time they park regardless of how long they are parking.

“A key element in our Toowoomba City Centre Car Parking Strategy is using the latest technology to improve customer experience to make finding and paying for parking more convenient and efficient. The strategy empowers Council to find the right balance to support motorists wanting to park in the CBD and providing more opportunities for customers to visit businesses.

“The Toowoomba Bus Station Car Park will continue to operate separately as a pay-on-exit car park, with day-to-day operations including long-term parking arrangements supported by Wilson Parking. Council is also introducing a Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) vehicle to support the system inside and outside of the CBD, within Council’s existing zoned parking areas.”