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As part of the approval process, councils will typically want to make sure that there will be adequate car spaces on site to meet the parking demands of your project. That’s where car parking demand assessments come into play.
By systematically evaluating how many parking spaces are likely to be required and the most efficient way to allocate them, car parking demand studies help stakeholders make more informed decisions on effectively using land space and help get a new proposal approved.
Here’s all there is to know about car parking demand assessments in Victoria.
The Basics
The planning scheme for each Victorian local government area categorises a development by how the land is intended to be used and land use definition, i.e. medical centre, private dwelling, shop, restaurant, etc.
Based on the development characters of the proposed use such as floor area, the number of dwellings and bedrooms, patron numbers, etc., the proposed development or land use will generate a statutory car parking requirement which the responsible authority (typically council) will typically expect the applicant to provide on site.
You can choose to provide the statutory number of car spaces on site or apply for a car parking dispensation and provide less than the required number (all the way down to zero car spaces).
In some circumstances and for less common land uses, there may not be a statutory car parking rate listed for the proposed use. In this scenario, the car parking requirement is left to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
Where a car parking dispensation is applied for or, where car parking needs to be provided to the satisfaction of the responsible authority, justification for the proposed number of car spaces is often requested as part of your planning permit application.
Justification is typically provided by way of a Car Parking Demand Assessment to the council, as part of a broader Traffic Impact Assessment Report (TIA/TIAR) or a stand-alone document for smaller applications.
The council then determines if there is sufficient justification to support your development / land use request and whether providing less car parking on the site than the statutory requirement can be supported either from having adequate nearby parking infrastructure or from a strategic planning perspective.
This option could potentially save you money and allow for additional floor area, which could add value to your project.
What Are The Key Steps To Undertake A Car Parking Demand Assessment?
There are various steps based on a myriad of variables; however, the following may be used as a guide.
1. Identify the statutory car parking requirement for the proposed development or land use. This will require you to know:
a. the zoning of the land.
b. whether or not the site is located within the Principal Public Transport Network (PPTN).
c. whether or not any Parking Overlays (PO) apply to the site/land use.
d. whether or not the proposed land use is a defined land use in the statutory car parking table.
e. the key measurement metrics of your proposal (i.e. leasable floor area, patron numbers, number of medical practitioners, bedrooms for each dwelling, etc.).
2.. Determine whether the statutory car parking requirement will be provided, or if fewer car spaces will be provided on-site and therefore a car parking reduction will be applied for.
3. Identify any key attribute related to the proposal that may be exempt from a permit requirement (i.e. certain zoning does not require an increase in the floor area, plus if the reduction requested is less than ten spaces there is no permit trigger). Where applicable, exemptions, concessions or credits may come from a previous permit approval.
4. Determine the likely car parking demands the development or land use will likely generate. This is different to the statutory requirement, as the standard rates are very broad and do not consider specifics, like proximity to alternate transport modes, car ownership, and progressive movement towards sustainability rather than private vehicle usage.
5. Review decision guidelines that support a car parking reduction or overflow, including the availability of other car parking resources, availability of alternative transport modes, existing deficiencies associated with previously approved land uses etc.
6. Submit a car parking demand assessment, as part of the traffic impact assessment report or stand-alone document to council.
Cark Parking Demand Assessment - FAQs
At what stage do I prepare a car parking demand assessment?
There are two main options:
1. Prepare before council requests this information, to avoid time delays.
2. Prepare after council requests it, through a Request For Information (RFI) process.
Who can prepare a car parking demand assessment?
Typically, car parking demand assessments are prepared by qualified traffic engineers.
What is the price for a car parking demand assessment?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It is best to contact Quantum Traffic directly to get an accurate cost, as it is dependent on the size of development and car parking reduction being applied for, level of data collection required, and any other specifically requested information from council, etc.
How long does the assessment take to prepare?
Our standard timeline is 3-4 weeks. However, if it is relatively straightforward, this timeline can be reduced. If it is quite complex and involves other critical components, the timeline might be a little longer. Quantum Traffic will be able to give you a good indication of this following your inquiry.
Caveats
There are some situations where a car parking demand assessment should be very brief. In certain zonings, where floor area is not increased and car parking reduction is low, there is no permit trigger for car parking, in alignment with Clause 52.06.
Quantum Traffic is here to assist with Car Parking Demand Assessments and the necessary collation and reporting of data to council. Our highly experienced and qualified traffic engineers will use a range of information and tools gathered about your site to prepare and submit your report to Council. With a long history of success, you can be rest assured that we have the experience and expertise to help get your proposed development or business approved.
Submit an enquiry online or call 1300 757 016 to speak with our friendly staff.
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