Resident parking

We received over 80 responses about resident parking, including permits and resident exemptions.

Here are some examples of what people told us:

• “People who aren't on leases, e.g. share houses, find it difficult or impossible to access parking permits.”
• “No free parking makes it difficult for residents even after hours.”
• “Some residents abuse it by parking large trailers attached to large trucks.”

Staff parking

We received almost 50 comments regarding business needs, employee parking and trade service parking.

Here are some examples of what people told us:

• “Not enough parking space for people that work in the area.”
• “My employees either receive regular parking fines or need to leave work constantly to move their car.”

Visitor parking

We received almost 30 comments regarding visitor parking.

Here is an example of what we heard:

• “Friends visiting during the day is impossible.”

Time limits

We received over 140 comments regarding the need for increased short-stay time-limits (such as 1P and pick up/drop off areas). We received an additional 59 comments regarding long-stay parking options (such as 3P and P).

Here are some examples of what people told us:

• “Errol St shopping area should have more free 15-30min parking spots”
• “There is NO capacity for residents with multiple vehicles to park in the street long term. This is a ridiculous oversight and inconvenience meaning cars are moved every 2-4 hours”

Evening and weekend restrictions

We received over 110 comments regarding evening and weekend parking restrictions.

Here are some examples of what people told us:

• “I fail to see why there is no timed parking in our street when people from the hospital and schools park there all day.”
• “Evening visitors often cannot find a park and a parking time limit of one hour is too short.”

Enforcement and misuse of parking spaces (poor signs and line marking)

We received over 50 comments regarding inconsistency in enforcement, resulting in misuse of parking.

Here are some examples of what people told us:

• “Lots of non resident parking in spots all day without enforcement. Makes it very hard for short stay visitors / residents to use the spots.”
• “Parking signs are generally not easy to read and seem to be designed for parking inspectors to give out more parking fines.”

Parking uses

We received almost 90 comments regarding parking uses such as, loading zones, pick up/drop off (PUDO) and accessible bays.

Here is an example of what we heard:

• “Review loading bays not in the industrial area anymore.”

Late-night access

We heard about safety concerns and requests for close-by parking for shift workers, residents and visitors to avoid late-night walking.

Here is an examples of what people told us:

• “I don’t feel safe coming home at night.”

Trade services parking

We received almost 40 comments about increased parking demand from developments.

Here is an example of what people told us:

• “It's often full of tradies working on building sites, and hospital workers who can't afford/don't want to pay for parking.'

We have received 93 responses as of June 2025:

25 submissions to reduce parking space for other uses (greening, bike lanes, pedestrian access)

• "There are way too many car parks in certain streets. These should be prioritised as green corridors."
• "Almost all parking can be repurposed for better things – remove it!"

20 submissions regarding lack of parking availability

• "Friends won’t visit if there isn’t good parking. Let’s not fool ourselves that the world is all walking and cycling. The older one gets, the more important the parking."
• "The reduction in parking, combined with non-compliance with parking time limits and lack of council enforcement, has significantly impacted parking amenity in and around Arden Street."

13 submissions on the need for updates or adjustments to resident exemption parking

• "As a resident living on the city fringe, I struggle with competing for parking space with construction workers who park illegally all day, and other short term city/hospital visitors."
• "There are cars with permits parking here during the day only, and I do not believe they are residents of this immediate area."

Parking services staff worked closely with the team to develop FAQs and take on key feedback from traders and residents.

Errol Street received 1196 survey submissions with 219 (18%) referencing car parking.

Key themes

• Overall support of adjustments to create more open space.
• Concern from traders about access to parking for workers and customers.
• Concern from locals about congestion.

Quotes

• "I’m very excited by this plan and think this will hugely improve the area."
• "Traffic is already congested and there is barely any parking. With the other proposed plans to take away a parking lot where is everyone going to park? Everyone utilises the space we have, no need for more."

Parking services staff attended in-person pop-ups regarding affordable housing sites and participated in the Community Reference Group sessions to provide parking updates.

Victoria Street Affordable housing received 1964 survey submissions with 379 (19%) referencing car parking.

Key themes

• Lack of available car spaces for all users, residents, businesses, workers and visitors in the precinct.
• 47 spaces within the car park is a loss for locals.
• Parking reporting indicates 47 spaces can be supported by the kerbside parking network.

Quotes

• "Car parking lots are a terrible use of urban space."
• "Parking has always been a challenge for my patients and it has been getting worse with the increase of residential developments in the area."

Parking Services staff helped facilitate reference group work for the Royal Park Master Plan as well as sit on the ongoing Working Group for development of the plan.

Royal Park Master Plan received 4622 survey submissions with 530 (11%) referencing car parking.

Key themes

• Parking in a park should be reduced.
• Parking for key activities such as the zoo, recreation and sports needs to be managed well.
• Accessibility and access needs to be considered when designing parking in Royal Park.

Quotes

• "Drivers pollute the park and make it more dangerous for other park users."
• "Parking is awful; I avoid it by usually walking there."
• "Parking not acceptable at pavilion - elderly and disabled spectators not catered for."

Parking services staff attended in person pop-ups regarding works on Chapman Reserve.

Chapman Reserve received 301 survey submissions with 34 (11%) referencing car parking.

Key themes

• Existing pressure on parking for residents needs to be addressed.
• Parking around busy areas (hospitals and schools) needs to be reviewed.
• Residents find it difficult to park in their street.

Quotes

• "There’s always an issue with parking especially on school time."
• "There is insufficient car park spaces at the present moment, especially during working days. The proposal will remove a number of car park spaces, thereby making the car parking situation worse."

We know there are a range of infrastructure, housing and transport projects being undertaken by the State Government across North Melbourne. These include the West Gate Tunnel Project, tram updates, Affordable and Public Housing changes, and health precinct works.

We work closely with these teams to manage parking and are monitoring these changes to align parking works with the delivery of key changes across North Melbourne.