The City of Melbourne will begin enforcing time restrictions for on-street parking to create more vehicle turnover and improve access to businesses and essential services in the city.
To allow more drivers to access the city, time limits on green parking signs will be enforced from Monday 12 October 2020.
This follows updated guidance issued by the Victorian Government that “Councils are permitted to enforce parking restrictions, including Green Parking Zones, to ensure public safety and access.”
Restrictions for Disability Access bays and all red signs will continue to be enforced, such as Loading Zones, No Stopping, No Standing, Tow-Away Clearways and Resident Permit areas.
The City of Melbourne is not currently collecting meter fees for paid parking in the municipality. This will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Drivers should abide by the time limit on the parking sign to avoid receiving an infringement notice. Time limits start as soon as the vehicle stops in the bay, not when the driver leaves the vehicle.
The City of Melbourne believes these changes should coincide with the re-opening of off-street commercial car parks for casual parking taking pressure away from on-street parking.
Parking officers are considered essential workers under State Government definitions and will continue to be visible on our streets. They play an important role in managing public safety and access for residents, essential workers and emergency services using our road network.
The city has issued almost 15,000 temporary parking permits to frontline health workers, in recognition of the critical role they are playing in saving the lives of Victorians who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The temporary permits for frontline workers will remain in place until further COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
As noted by City of Melbourne CEO, Justin Hanney:
“Many vehicles are staying all day, resulting in a lack of parking availability and turnover. We’re getting daily complaints from small businesses, residents and people needing to do business or attend medical appointments about the lack of parking in the city, particularly from 7.00am until 4.00pm.
By enforcing time restrictions for on-street parking this creates an incentive for workers to use the commercial car parks so more on-street parks are available outside businesses.
We’re asking people to please note the time limit shown on the green signs, and move your vehicle on when the time is up to allow other drivers to park in the area.”
/Public Release. View in full here.
