The changeover from a two-hour time limit to three hours is yet to be announced, however a spokeswoman for centre manager Alceon Group said the operator was working with the council to finalise the agreement.

“We expect to commence in the coming months and we will update the community on a start date once it is confirmed,” she said.

During discussions on Tuesday night, councillor Russell Turner pointed out the previous centre manager, Charter Hall, elected in 2014 to reduce the time limit from three hours in a day to two hours with unlimited returns. 

“They requested it to be less of an incentive for some shopkeepers or shopkeepers’ staff to park in the city centre all day and just go out and move it at lunchtime and then take a chance they wouldn’t get booked after 4pm,” he said.

“People seem to forget that [but] it’s up to the city centre owners.”

Councillor Jeff Whitton said a three-hour time limit would allow people to wander through the whole CBD and eat out.

“Sure, they’re going to go into that mall, but they’re going to go out of that mall and go uptown, downtown, all over the place and they’re going to get away from parking in the main street,” he said.

“The only thing you can’t buy online is when you want to go and have a coffee, eggs and bacon, sit with your mates and have a yarn.”

Council staff indicated the move would likely free parking supply on Lords Place, but income from the Ophir car park might also take a hit.

The car park charges $3 to park all day. 

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