Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER 2011
Part 1 - Access and Parking Strategy Report
The report, produced from part one of the study, provides for long-term strategic direction for
future parking management. The report also incorporates a detailed analysis of cash-in-lieu
contribution schemes and the land, construction and operational costs of supplying new car
parking facilities.
A summary of the Part 1 - Assess and Parking Report is attached. Copies of the report are
available on request.
Generally, the report recommends moving away from the traditional 'predict and provide'
approach to parking supply towards a 'demand management approach' to parking. Parking
demand management involves a suite of management tools, and may include:-
pay parking;
education programs;
cash-in-lieu;
maximum and minimum parking standards;
parking surveys to monitor parking occupancy and assess effectiveness of parking
supply/management;
shared parking;
pedestrian improvements;
alternative modes of transport; and
monitoring of compliance.
Part Two of the study will focus on the future access and parking requirements and policies for
the four defined centres and deliver practical Precinct Parking Management Plans accompanied
with detailed guidance on how to implement the strategic direction over a 5-20 year timeframe.
A 14 week timeframe is anticipated for the completion of the second part of the study.
COMMENT:
The first part of the study draws attention to the fact that if the level of development potential
envisaged for the four commercial centres along Cambridge Street is to be achieved, there will
need to be a change in the way parking is supplied and managed. Alternatively, the future
development potential for the four commercial centres would need to be much less than is
currently being sought by developers. The challenge is finding the balance between adequate
supply of parking to ensure vitality of the commercial centres and managing the demand for
parking. Continuing a demand satisfaction approach (based on a 'predict and provide' model) is
unsustainable.
The study recognises that attitudes to parking are not going to change quickly and that changes
to parking management should be gradual and accompanied with an educational program to
draw awareness to the true commercial and environmental costs associated with parking.
The study recommends the Town adopt a demand management approach towards parking.
Pay parking is one of the most effective ways of influencing parking and travel demand and
increases equity as the 'user pays'. The Town has already successfully implemented paid
parking around St John of God Hospital and the Southport Street Commercial Area to address
parking demand issues for these centres. Undertaking annual parking surveys will inform high
demand areas where the introduction of paid parking may be required.
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