We're supporting as many of our residents as possible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by offering an additional car parking option in the CBD for those headed to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Mass Vaccination Centre.
Last week we announced the MacCabe Park car park off Church Street would offer the first two hours of car parking free. Drivers will still need to use the parking meter and display a ticket in the windscreen, or start the CellOPark app, but won't be charged a parking fee. They will need to take a ticket on entry and pay for any additional time they stay beyond the initial two free hours.
As normal for all metered on-street CBD parking, parking is free before 8.30am and after 4.30pm weekdays and weekends. Time limits apply on Saturdays between 8.30am and 12.30pm.
Unmetered free parking within close proximity of the vaccination centre is also available in Bank Street and Church Street, south of Bank Street.
This week we've added the Secure Parking, privately operated, Courthouse car park at 37 Market Street as also offering the first two hours of car parking free. As with MacCabe Park car park, drivers need to collect and display a ticket on entry and pay for any additional hours. The Market Street car park operates 7 days a week from 6am through until 10.30pm.
"We know it's important to support as many people as possible, who are in a position to get vaccinated, to get their AstraZeneca or Pfizer,'' Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.
"By offering the first two hours of car parking free we hope that this will encourage more people to book their vaccination as soon as possible and to come and get their jab.
"For those who aren't driving, there are also plenty of public transport opportunities including the free Gong Shuttle to make getting into the mass vaccination centre easily.''
Drivers with a disabled parking permit displayed in their window are able to benefit from additional special exemptions in Council-run paid parking. These are;
- permit holders do not have to pay for on-street ticket parking
- where on-street spaces are an hour or longer, drivers can stay all day
- where an on-street space is half an hour, drivers can stay for two hours
"I hope that these additional measures make it even easier for people to come into the city centre and get their vaccination,'' Cr Bradbery said.
"I am now fully vaccinated with Astra-Zeneca and I have to say there is a real level of comfort in that. By being vaccinated and by wearing a mask, keeping my hands sanitised and by observing social distancing I'm doing the best I can to protect my family, friends and community.''
The updated two hours free parking opportunities are part of a range of measures Council has put in place to support our community at this time.
The assistance package supports those who are experiencing disadvantage and significant hardship as a result of COVID-19. In addition to a 0% interest rate on overdue rates and charges for the 2021-2022 first instalment until 30 November 2021, there are free online courses for business planning, one-off funding grants to local not-for-profit organisations that provide emergency food and care packages to people experiencing hardship due to COVID-19, and assistance for sporting clubs who use Council facilities.
