PARKING in Wagga is under scrutiny, driven by a business and community push to rectify problems plaguing parts of the CBD.
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From upgrades to the significantly underused Wagga Beach car park to the provision of multi-level structures and paid parking, a suite of measure are being explored by Wagga City Council.
A recent Wagga Business Chamber survey of more than 100 businesses overwhelmingly revealed a lack of parking, particularly on Fitzmaurice Street.
The chamber met with council on Monday to discuss the survey findings and president James Howell said the talks were positive.
Mr Howell said council's CBD parking strategy was being put under internal scrutiny and the review would form the basis of future talks.
While the report is prepared, Mr Howell said the chamber would work with council on short-term solutions that could provide relief to specific problems.
"They (council) recognise something needs to be done," Mr Howell said.
Fitzmaurice Street business owners and staff have called for a greater mix of one- and two-hour parking spaces, along with a multi-level car park behind the ABC Riverina studio.
Mayor Rod Kendall said the car park on the corner of Morgan and Berry streets was an example of multi-tiered parking already on offer.
"There's no doubt we'll have (more) multi-storey car parks in Wagga sometime in the future," Councillor Kendall said. "When? I can't say.
"The outcomes of the parking strategy (review) will be a significant part of the timing for that."
When asked by The Daily Advertiser if paid parking was being considered in the review, Cr Kendall said it couldn't be discounted as a future option.
"There's no current consideration for paid parking, but it comes up regularly in discussion," he said.
Cr Kendall said parking issues could be solved in ways other than providing car spaces, including encouraging people to park in existing, more remote, spots.
He said the all-day car park at Wagga Beach was "significantly under-utilised" and public transport wasn't used well.
Security and lighting at the riverside car park have been questioned in the past, with improvements as part of the Wagga Beach upgrade expected to enhance the spot.
The chamber is due to meet with council again early next month.