Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s 7869 parking meters would be turned off and fees halved at the council’s two major car parks at Wickham Terrace and King George Square from Wednesday until the end of February.

“To coincide with many offices reopening and school returning fully, we are switching off Brisbane’s parking meters and halving the cost of Council’s car parks,” Schrinner said.

“We want to attract people back to our major shopping areas to help businesses survive and continue employing people because this will ensure Brisbane’s economy recovers quicker.

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“Hopefully our free and half priced parking will prompt people to catch up with friends, enjoy a meal out and indulge in a bit of retail therapy, all of which will help businesses that have done it tough.”

However, the move won’t be a free-for-all, with council warning parking time limits will still be enforced.

“You don’t have to pay for parking, but motorists have to remember that they can’t overstay the parking limit,” council’s infrastructure committee chair Andrew Wines said.

“Our officers will still be enforcing limits because parking space turnover will mean more people benefit and the dividend to business from this measure should be even better.”

The move won immediate praise from the city’s business groups. The Property Council said it would help struggling Brisbane retailers who had been hit hard by the downturn in trade throughout the pandemic.