FAQs
Preparing for future growth in the City Centre
Parking demand modelling indicates that an additional 750 to 900 public parking spaces may be required by 2041 to support convenient access to City Centre businesses, services, jobs and community facilities.High car dependency on short trips
Vehicle users in Coffs Harbour have a strong reliance on private vehicles, with over 70% of work trips made by car, with very low uptake of walking, cycling and public transport.Limited public transport connectivity
Despite bus network improvements in late 2023, public transport connections remain limited, particularly outside peak periods and on weekends.Equity and cost recovery
The management of parking infrastructure comes with ongoing costs to all ratepayers, including those that may not use the City Centre parking facilities.Development feasibility
The existing Coffs Harbour City Centre Parking Contributions Plan 2024 is no longer aligned with current development conditions and future parking demands. The current contribution rate can add a significant cost to new development projects within the City Centre, potentially affecting development feasibility and investment decisions.Parking turnover
Employees working in the City Centre often park in on-street spaces and car parks near key destinations, reducing parking turnover and limiting access for other users.Support for economic activity
The City Centre is a key economic and social anchor in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area. Convenient and accessible parking in the City Centre is therefore essential to support businesses, service and equitable access for all users.Safety
Safety in the City Centre has been identified as a key concern by our community and local businesses, in particular: inadequate lighting, limited pedestrian crossings, and challenges in accessing parking areas safely. Collectively, these factors contribute to the perception that some parking facilities do not provide a safe environment for users.Making better use of existing parking infrastructure
A community and business perception survey undertaken by the City indicated that the Castle Street parking facility is perceived as inadequately sized, making it difficult for users to find parking. In addition, insufficient lighting has contributed to the facility being perceived as unsafe and isolated during after-hours periods. The parking survey also found that motorcycle parking spaces are underutilised due to low demand and uptake.- Improving modal shift - there is a significant opportunity to reduce parking demand and improve access to the City Centre by increasing the proportion of trips made by walking, bike riding and public transport.
- Making better use of existing parking - there is opportunity for the City to provide an appropriate supply of parking by making better use of its existing parking supply through:
- line marking, parking requirements for new developments, converting underutilised motorcycle parking; and
- by improving walking connections through better lighting, safety and access between parking areas and destinations.
- Investigating new multi-level car parks to meet future demand - there is an opportunity for the City to develop multiple sites with new multi-level car parks over the long term to achieve the overall parking supply requirements in the City Centre.
- Partnering with government and the private sector to deliver future parking infrastructure - there is an opportunity for the City to partner with the public or private sector to co-fund the construction of parking infrastructure through Public Private Partnerships.
- Future-proofing parking infrastructure - there is an opportunity for the City to plan for both current parking needs and future changes in the way people travel. Emerging technologies, changing travel preferences, and evolving transport options may influence future parking demand, potentially reducing the long-term need for destination parking within the City Centre.
- Using Paid Parking to Improve Parking Availability and Help Fund Future Parking Infrastructure - there is an opportunity for the City to consider paid parking as a tool to improve the efficiency of the existing parking network, support economic activity in the City Centre and contribute to the funding of future parking infrastructure.
- Paid parking
Revenue generated from paid parking could contribute to the funding, operation and maintenance of parking infrastructure. - Internally restricted reserves
Council may allocate funds from existing internally restricted reserves where they are available and appropriate to do so. - Development contributions
Contributions paid by new developments can help fund infrastructure needed to support growth, including public parking facilities. - Voluntary planning agreements
Developers may enter into agreements with Council to provide funding, land, or works that contribute to public infrastructure outcomes. - External grant funding
Council may seek funding from State and Commonwealth government grant programs to support the delivery of parking infrastructure. - Special rate levy
A special rate levy could be applied, subject to approvals, to help fund infrastructure that provides a broader community benefit. - Loan debt financing
Council may borrow funds to deliver infrastructure, with repayment occurring over time through future revenues or budgets. - Land disposal
The sale of surplus or underutilised Council-owned land could provide funding for future infrastructure projects. - Partnerships
Council may work with private sector, government or community partners to share the costs and benefits of delivering parking infrastructure. - Better use of existing parking.
- Improved pedestrian connections and safety.
- Encouraging walking, cycling and public transport for shorter trips.
- Investigating opportunities for future multi-level car parks.
- Exploring partnerships with government and the private sector.
- Considering equitable funding options.
Identify challenges associated with parking in the City Centre
Determine the key opportunities for contemporary approaches to parking management
Understand community views on future parking infrastructure and funding options.
Inform the preparation of a draft City Centre Parking Plan.
Why have we prepared this Discussion Paper?
Council adopted the Coffs Harbour Movement and Place Strategy in September 2023, which identifies the need for the City to prepare a City Centre Parking Plan to guide future parking supply in the City Centre, and consider contemporary parking management approaches. The Discussion Paper is the first step in developing a future Parking Plan for the City Centre.
Why do we need to plan for parking in the City Centre?
The City Centre is expected to continue growing from now through to 2041. While current parking supply generally meets demand, future modelling indicates that an additional 750 to 900 parking spaces will be needed to accommodate growth and maintain convenient access to businesses, services, jobs and community facilities.
Is there currently a shortage of parking in the City Centre?
The City Centre currently provides approximately 7,000 parking spaces, including around 3,810 public spaces and 3,200 private spaces. Recent parking surveys found that at the busiest weekday period, approximately 76% of public parking spaces were occupied, meaning around 1,000 public parking spaces remained available across the broader City Centre. This generally meets our current needs for parking in the City Centre.
Demand modelling undertaken in 2025 indicates that an additional 750-900 public parking spaces may be required by 2041 to support our growing City and maintain access to businesses, services, jobs and community facilities.
What challenges do we need to plan for?
What opportunities are available to us?
The Discussion Paper presents a range of opportunities for discussion, rather than preferred solutions. The City would like to understand which approaches the community supports and where future investment should be focused. These approaches could be considered individually in combination as part of a future City Centre Parking Plan.
These opportunities include:
Your feedback will help the City identify which opportunities are most important to the community and should be considered as part of the future City Centre Parking Plan.
Why is the City asking about funding options for future parking?
Future parking infrastructure will require substantial investment and ongoing maintenance.
A key challenge for the future City Centre Parking Plan is therefore identifying funding approaches that are equitable, financially sustainable and broadly supported by the community.
To accommodate the number of additional parking spaces required in the City Centre by 2041, there are ways in which the City can improve existing parking, however the majority of new parking will need to be accommodated in the form of multi-level car parks.
Funding this infrastructure will require a significant investment of public funds. Preliminary estimates suggest that the parking infrastructure needed to accommodate future growth could cost between $40 million and $60 million. The Discussion Paper identified a range of potential funding approaches that could be investigated including paid parking, Council funding, development contributions, partnerships and other mechanism.
What funding options are we exploring?
There are a number of funding opportunities that could be used to support the delivery of future multi-level car parks in the City Centre, including:
Funding may come from a single source or a combination of options. No decisions have been made at this stage.
Why is the City asking about walking, bike riding and public transport?
The Discussion Paper recognises that not all future parking needs can be met by building more parking spaces.
There is a significant opportunity to reduce parking demand and improve access to the City Centre by increasing the proportion of trips made by walking, bike riding and public transport. Approximately 15% of trips to and from the City Centre are less than 2.5 kilometres in length, and there is opportunity to improve the modal shift by creating safer, more attractive and better-connected pedestrian environments.
What does ‘modal shift’ mean?
Modal shift is the term used to describe changing how people or goods travel by moving from one way of transport to another. For example, changing from driving the car to work to riding a bike or catching a bus.
Why can't the City simply build more parking spaces?
Providing new parking infrastructure is expensive and suitable land within the City Centre is limited.
Premilitary estimates suggest that parking infrastructure needed to accommodate future growth could cost between $40 million and $60 million. For this reason, the City is considering a range of approaches, including:
The Discussion Paper seeks community input on these opportunities before any future decisions are made.
Why is the City considering partnerships with government and private section?
The cost of delivering future parking infrastructure is significant.
Current estimates indicate that the delivery of the additional parking required to support growth to 2041 could require investment in the order of $40 million to $60 million in today’s cost.
Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are often an attractive and practical pathway for funding and delivering parking infrastructure. A partnership could involve Council working with government or the private sector to contribute land, funding or other resources towards the delivery of future parking infrastructure.
How will my feedback be used?
Feedback received through the survey and consultation process will help the City:
By planning ahead now, the City can explore a range of options and work with the community to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective solutions before parking supply becomes constrained.
Planning for parking infrastructure takes time and requires long-term thinking.
No decisions have been made. Your input will help shape future planning for parking in the City Centre.