Lower parking fees at popular Rowland Reserve in Bayview are on the agenda, as Northern Beaches Council seeks to encourage visitors to use the carpark rather than the surrounding streets.

Council plans to lower the hourly summer rate from $10 currently to $6 and the daily rate from $40 to $25, following a successful Council motion yesterday evening. Winter rates would fall to $5 an hour from $8 and from $35 to $22 per day.

And the area allocated for the free one-hour rate will be doubled.

The draft car parking fees will be placed on public exhibition from 16 January 2019 and a report presented to Council once feedback is collated. 

Mayor Michael Regan said Rowland Reserve is a regional boating facility and used by both residents and non-residents as well as dog walkers and other recreational users.

“When Council harmonised fees and charges across the three former Council areas, the fee increase at Rowland Reserve appears to have discouraged people from using the carpark.

“We want to get the balance right and encourage people to use the carpark provided rather than choosing to park vehicles and trailers in local residential streets which often means residents can’t park outside their own homes.

“Council has received feedback from residents about the parking issues and we have listened. With an anticipated increase in carpark usage as a result of the lower fees, there will be less traffic congestion and pollution resulting from cars in and around local streets looking for a park.

“It’s a win-win for everyone: for both boating enthusiasts who can park cars and trailers at lower cost, and for short term users such as people walking their dogs who will have more one-hour free parking spots.

The proposed lower fees will be in line with the charges in the 2017/18 financial year.

To have your say visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au from 16 January 2019.