The new car park on Creswick Road will be free until the end of January, the City of Ballarat announced on Thursday.
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In a press release, the Mayor Cr Ben Taylor said the move was to encourage more people to use the space.
The 300-space car park, which was funded by the Victorian state government to replace the parking lost at the old Civic Hall, opened after multiple delays earlier this month.
SEE TIME LAPSE OF NEW CAR PARK
Since its opening, the car park has been almost entirely unused. It was originally charging $3 per hour, capped at a maximum $6.50 per day.
"Once people realise how easy it is to park there and quickly get to the Ballarat Railway Station or the central Ballarat Library then we think it will get more car movement through the car park," Cr Taylor said.
According to Google Maps, the car park is six minutes' walk from Ballarat Library and between nine to 10 minutes' walk from Ballarat Train station.
The boom gates will remain open to allow cars through.
The new car park was originally slated for opening last year, but was beset by logistical problems, as well as a change in the design of the car park.
Once people realise how easy it is to park there and quickly get to the Ballarat Railway Station or the central Ballarat Library then we think it will get more car movement through the car park
- Mayor Ben Taylor
It was part of a $2m state investment to help provide 1,000 new car parks in the city.
Other off-road car parks in the city will also be free - as long as drivers stick to stipulated time limits - from December 1 to the end of January as the City of Ballarat installs new parking meters as part of its Smarter Parking plan.
Once they are up and running, the new meters will accept coins and credit cards, with motorists also able to pay using a smartphone app. will switch on in February 2020.
The new system will also use number plate recognition vehicles, which are due to start next month.
MORE ON THE CRESWICK ROAD CAR PARK
- Creswick Road carpark to open mid-February (January, 2019)
- Creswick Road car park opening delayed after soil problems (March, 2019)
- Creswick Road paid car parks delayed by weather (July, 2019)
- Creswick Road car park in Ballarat CBD delayed again (September, 2019)
- Long-awaited Creswick Road car park didn't go to tender despite cost (October 2019)
- Ballarat's Creswick Road car park still empty (November 2019)
- The first of several attempts to address parking shortages in Ballarat has opened
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