The introduction of evening pay parking in the city centre created challenges for the Canberra Theatre Centre with the start times of a number of shows delayed to accommodate patrons grappling with parking machines.
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The Cultural Facilities Corporation annual report has listed convenient car parking in the city as an ongoing priority for the body and "critical" for the financial viability of the theatre centre.
Corporation chief executive Harriet Elvin said issues with after-hours pay parking improved as patrons became used to the change and catered their evening to suit.
Surveys done by the body showed parking availability was a key consideration in choosing to attend theatre, but patrons were happy to pay for parking if it was accessible and safe, she said.
"While ensuring access to car parking therefore remains a major focus for the CFC, it should be noted that the studies predate new transport options such as Uber and light rail, and future developments such as autonomous vehicles, all of which will increase the range of options for those attending theatre," Ms Elvin said.
Businesses rallied against the introduction of pay parking in 2015, warning it would drive down patronage and profit.
All day parking in the central city costs $15.70, according to the Access Canberra website, while after hours parking on weeknights and weekends "at selected locations" costs $5.30.
The price increases were projected to put an extra $5 million in the government's coffers by 2018.
The Cultural Facilities Corporation report said it would work to ensure the Canberra Theatre Centre was not impacted by the construction of the government office block, a $300 million project expected to result in a five-storey government building and 12-storey hotel by 2020.
"Studies undertaken by the CFC indicate that having sufficient, convenient car parking for theatre patrons is critical for the financial viability of the Canberra Theatre Centre and therefore of the whole CFC," the report said.
A government spokeswoman said Economic Development was working with the Cultural Facilities Corporation on alternate parking arrangements during the construction of the complex.
"A temporary carpark will be established in the precinct during construction of the government office block, on the land adjacent to Vernon Circle," she said.
Ms Elvin said the developer would assess whether it would be feasible to build and make available the underground car parks in advance of the rest of the complex.
"The CFC will also explore with the developer whether in future a ticket for car parking in the complex could be sold at the same time as a theatre ticket to make car parking more convenient for theatre patrons," she said.
