Local authorities: landlords for parking in large commercial centres

Recent Melbourne studies and a study in Shepparton have identified that generated parking demands in large and comprehensive retail/ commercial centres are significantly less than that parking which would be provided if each development was to provide on site parking at the maximum likely rate relevant to each development. These studies have indicated the need for authorities to adopt dedicated, shared and minimum rate concepts for development parking requirements where the shared rate is expressed as a proportion of the dedicated rate. The approach would require authorities to be pro-active in operating cash in lieu or similar funds aimed at concentrating substantial proportions of employee and customer/ visitor parking in large public parking garages. Parking should be provided simultaneously with, or in advance of development occurring. The concepts are applicable to both office and retail development. The concept would allow local authorities to select sites that are best suited to car parking and associated access. Developers could maximise the use of valuable property for the primary purpose of retail/ commercial development. Shopper, customers and traders etc, would benefit from the lower cost of parking resulting from a lower parking requirement being placed upon developments. These benefits would accrue with no apparent reduction in parking availability in a Centre. The benefits to be gained from this approach to providing parking in large and comprehensive centres will ultimately depend on the willingness of local authorities to adopt an aggressive and pro-active role as parking land lord for Centres. This role could be exercised in commercial ventures together with the private sector or could occur with authorities simply administering the operation of privately operated car parking garages.