The City's paid parking system in the Geelong CBD will resume on Monday 4 January.
As part of a return to regular parking operations, the City will also resume the trial of 30-minute free parking in central Geelong's 2P zones.
The initiative is being trialled in the 2P metered areas until 30 June 2021.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said the aim of the trial was to encourage more visitors to the CBD and increase economic activity for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Council's excited to resume the trial of free parking in two-hour zones," Mayor Asher said.
"We know this is an incentive for visitors to stop and shop in the CBD.
"We also want to examine the impacts it has on usage, turnover and our community and business sectors."
All motorists will be required to enter their vehicle registration via the parking meters or an app and adhere to the time limits.
The City's system will automatically reduce the charge in 2P zones by 30 minutes for one transaction per vehicle per day.
Motorists can pay via coins, tap-and-go or an app (EZiCom and EasyPark).
The credit card insert technology – which has limited use and has required ongoing maintenance - is being removed from the City's meters and will not be available.
Paper tickets are not issued but paper receipts are produced upon request.
The City's Park and Ride pay-for-use service will also resume on weekdays from 4 January, running from Upper Hearne Parade in Eastern Park through central Geelong.
Parking will remain free but time-limited each weekend.
The City has provided free parking in central Geelong for about eight months, as part of its support for businesses and the local community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative has formed a large part of the Council's $16.9 million worth of COVID-19 support measures this year.
