Council Adopts New Hamilton CBD Parking Policy

Published on 16 September 2024

Southern Grampians Shire Council has adopted a new Hamilton CBD Parking Policy at the September meeting this week. The decision was informed by feedback from the Hamilton Regional Business Association (HRBA) and local residents who voiced their concerns regarding the existing parking system.

The new policy aims to improve the management of parking resources in the CBD while balancing the needs of businesses, visitors, and residents. It introduces changes designed to make parking more efficient and user-friendly, based on community input.

Key Changes in the New Policy:

• Additional Parking Meters: Nine new meters have been installed to reduce the distance between meters, making it easier for users to pay for parking.
• Updated Paid Parking Times:

• On Fridays, parking restrictions will now end earlier, at 5:30 PM instead of the previous 8:00 PM, providing more convenience for evening shoppers and diners.
• Paid parking will begin slightly earlier, starting at 9:00 AM instead of 9:30 AM.

Mayor Councillor David Robertson praised the community for their involvement.

“We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with us. We thank HRBA for presenting the concerns of local businesses, and this updated policy reflect the feedback we’ve received. By making these adjustments, we’ve ensured that parking is more accessible and fairer, benefiting both businesses and the public”, Cr Roberson said.

Council emphasised that any future changes to the parking policy would continue to be driven by community consultation.

“We are always open to feedback, and this policy will evolve as needed to ensure it meets the needs of the community,” Cr Robertson added.

For more information on the new parking policy and to stay updated on any future consultations, please visit the Southern Grampians Shire Council website or contact our office.