Northern Beaches Council has approved the Palm Beach Parking Management Plan to improve parking at Pittwater Park, Palm Beach and environs.

Mayor Michael Regan said Council had worked closely with the community to develop a parking demand management strategy for the area and welcomed the significant community input from more than 300 residents and businesses.

“Palm Beach is a popular destination and attracts many visitors. The Palm Beach Ferry Wharf services the offshore community as well as day trippers, holiday makers and commuters. This plan tries to balance the needs of locals, visitors, commuters and nearby businesses,” Mayor Regan said.

Following extensive community consultation, Council developed a comprehensive plan to manage parking which will:

• Provide more parking for the community to access nearby businesses through two hour, four hour and eight hour parking spaces
• Increase turnover and manage peak demand, eg during summer holidays, long weekends
• Provide dedicated parking with a new parking permit for Western Offshore residents
• Balance the needs of residents, visitors and commuters
• Promote nearby parking alternatives and public transport, including using the car park of nearby sports grounds Iluka and Woorak Reserve carparks and the 181 space Careel Bay Playing Fields carpark
• Prioritise road safety

Existing arrangements will remain for local streets for visitors, day-trippers and residents including offshore residents.