As the City of Launceston continues its review of the region’s parking strategy, Cityprom chief executive Steve Henty has weighed in on the often-controversial issue.

Mr Henty said parking had been on the entity’s agenda since its first meeting in 1988.

In 2014, a Cityprom poll found 86 per cent of surveyed businesses supported a first-hour-free policy.

About 84 per cent of those surveyed said the price of parking reduced the number of visitors to the CBD. 

Mr Henty said any review of the parking strategy should be based on statistics around utilisation.

“We need to make sure we’re using an evidence-based approach - and looking at the economics that comes out of that,” he said.

“What effect will making the first hour free, have?”

Mr Henty said parking costs in the council-owned, multi-storey carparks had not increased since 2010. 

He questioned the logistical ability to create and enforce a first-hour free strategy for spaces with parking meters.

“That is a very difficult thing to do,” he said.

”Whilst there's always got to look at ways of encouraging people into the CBD, we need to make sure we are doing it on an evidence-based approach.”

Mr Henty questioned whether the parking change would see a significant loss of revenue for the City of Launceston. 

“It [parking revenue] goes to a budget that can look at things like making it easier to use parking metres in the city and investigating -smart card parking and WiFi-enabled parking,” he said.

“There has to be a balance.”

In the financial year ending June 30 this year, the City of Launceston spent more than $4.5 million on parking facilities.

The council’s general manager, Michael Stretton, expected the parking review to be finalised in 2018.

Here is what Mr Stretton had to say about the parking review:

“Despite claims from many, parking remains in very high demand in the CBD, and we need to manage that demand through appropriate fee structures and other means,” he said.

“Under the current fee structures, price does not appear to be a deterrent to motorists parking in the CBD, which would appear to indicate that we have a sensible balance.”

“Parking fees are important for the smooth operation of the CBD in a city which services a Greater Launceston population of 107,000 people.

“Fees ensure vehicles are regularly rotating through spaces, giving more people an opportunity to find a convenient park. In the Launceston municipality, there are 75,677 registered vehicles for a population of 66,864.

“According to statistics published by Transport Tasmania, Launceston has the most registered vehicles of any municipality in Tasmania.

“The council offers two hours of free parking each day in its multi-storey car parks between 3.30pm and 5.30pm, as well as the park and ride free Tiger Bus, and cheap all day parking in off-street car parks from as low as $4.

“We offer free on-street metered parking on Sunday, and free parking for motorcycles in some on-street and off-street areas.

“We offer free lock-up bicycle cages so people can avoid bringing their car into town.

“When compared with our capital city, where many street meters charge $4 per hour and parking operates seven days a week, we think we have a fair system in Launceston.

“The review underway will examine fees, but without wanting to pre-empt any outcomes, it would be difficult to seriously argue that parking prices in council controlled spaces are unreasonable for a city of Launceston's size.

“And this is borne out by the demand and use levels of our car parks, both on-street and off-street which remain in very high demand throughout each week, and often operate in excess of 90 per cent capacity in the latter half of the week.