Council has now introduced Smart Parking to areas of Cowes and Wonthaggi. Smart Parking is a proven way to better manage our free parking using technology to help drivers save time finding an available bay and provide better access to businesses.
Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan, said the smart-parking technology, which includes 506 in-ground sensors installed in on-street parking bays and in the Transit Centre at Cowes, would make it easier to find a park across the CBD areas of Cowes and Wonthaggi.
“Our population across Bass Coast had grown 25% from 2016 to 2021 and we are one of Australia’s premier tourism destinations. Initiatives that help minimise traffic congestion and enable drivers to find a park quicker, mean that they can spend more time in our fabulous local businesses.”
“We learned through various engagements for Cowes and Wonthaggi that access to park efficiently was a priority for the community. Smart parking will assist drivers to efficiently locate available parking meaning they are no longer circling the street looking for a spot. It’s a better way to manage free parking.”
“The introduction of smart parking will support the existing parking in Wonthaggi and Cowes and it is important to note that there have been no changes to parking restriction, no reduction in car parking spaces and that parking remains free for all users.”
In Cowes, the project is also supported by digitised traffic signs to guide drivers to an available parking space, without the need to download the app.
The Smart Parking sensors will provide Council with visibility around space occupancy including duration of stay, usage trends, peak usage, as well as reporting and data insights that the Council can use for information-driven future planning decisions.
The app – Bass Coast Parking, is available to download for free on and smartphones now, giving drivers real time information such as the best available areas to park and the number of available car parking spaces in each area.
