Bendigo council says it has no plans to make parking in the central business district, including near Hargreaves Mall free, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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Acting director of health and wellbeing Lincoln Fitzgerald says free parking would send the wrong message to people.
"It would encourage people to leave their homes and come to the city centre," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"At this point, apart from essential workers and those who cannot work from home, it is important that we continue to follow the strict health advice in place and stay at home as much as possible," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Council's stance comes as the City of Ballarat recently announced free parking in its central business district.
Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said the changes were about keeping the community safe and limiting time spent out of house.
"We don't want to put any further extra financial burden on our residents, including the few extra dollars motorists are putting in the parking meters when there are far more important issues to be worrying about," Mr Taylor said.
The streets of Bendigo's central business district have become eerily quiet, despite being home to a number of retail outlets and essential services that continue to trade.
"The streets are currently quiet and for those businesses that are trading, people can either have their items delivered or quickly call ahead or click and collect," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Federal member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters agrees with the stance council has taken.
"Free parking has never encouraged people to shop in the CBD," Ms Chesters said.
"All that free, all day parking allows is for one person to park in that parking spot all day.
"The health advice is that we need to shop for what we need and we are not encouraged to wander around and casually buy things."
Altering the time restrictions on parking bays, such as converting a two-hour paid parking spot into a one-hour free parking spot in the Bendigo CBD was not something council is considering.
Mr Fitzgerald says business support initiatives are being considered by council to assist traders.
"These are being considered as part of the revised Budget process, which aims to help businesses through this time so they are in a position to continue trading when current health restrictions are lifted," Mr Fitzgerald said.
Council also says it is in the process of securing a number of events, scheduled to take place at the end of the year, to help bring visitors to Bendigo and entertain locals.
"Events to look forward to include the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival and White Night, as well as annual events like Bendigo Cup and Bendigo Swap Meet," Mr Fitzgerald said.
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