Northern Beaches Council is seeking community input into an ambitious plan to replace the over-subscribed Manly Parking Permit Scheme, the first major review of the resident parking scheme since 1985.
The draft ‘Northern Beaches Parking Permit Scheme Framework’ aims to:
- bring the Manly Parking Permit Scheme into closer alignment with current Transport NSW guidelines;
- improve on-street parking availability; and
- balance the needs of Manly residents and businesses with the broader community, particularly in areas that experience high parking demand.
The draft Northern Beaches Parking Permit Scheme Framework covers Little Manly, Balgowlah, Tower Hill, Tower Hill Extension, Ocean Beach, The Isthmus, Fairy Bower, Ivanhoe Park, Ivanhoe Park Extension and Ethel Street.
“Currently, there are some 3,800 on-street parking spaces available across those areas - but over 11,000 parking permits have been issued,” said CEO, Ray Brownlee.
“This creates huge difficulties for residents trying to find suitable parking near their homes as they compete for such limited spaces.
“We are also aware some permits are offered for sale by residents resulting in increased parking congestion in areas already in high demand so we propose to crack down on the illegal use of permits by linking them with cars registered at the residential address.”
The newly proposed residential Northern Beaches Parking Permit Scheme Framework proposes to offer two resident parking permits per rateable dwelling and introduces a separate range of ‘needs based’ parking permits which residents can use for home carers, support workers, tradespeople and visitors.
Registered commercial vehicles used by businesses and car-share services are accommodated under the proposed new scheme as well as vehicles being used by not-for-profit services based in the scheme area.
The current 1985-era Manly Residential Parking Permit Scheme does not comply with the current Roads and Maritime Services requirements for Residential Parking Schemes.
“It’s time to update the scheme, we need to address the daily frustrations felt by residents trying to operate in an over-subscribed permit environment,” Mr Brownlee said.
“It is hoped that by freeing up parking spaces, we will be able to increase visits to Manly’s local business centres as well.”
Council conducted extensive community consultation to inform the development of the framework to allow residents and local businesses to provide comment on the existing scheme and suggested improvements.
A further stage of community consultation will now begin in September to get feedback on the proposed Parking Permit Framework. Submissions close Sunday 29 September 2019.