Media releases

Free 15-minute parking a proven success

Published 29 June 2016

Sydney shoppers will continue to benefit from free 15-minute parking on retail main streets, with the City of Sydney extending its popular parking trial a further two years.

Demand for the free 15-minute tickets continues to grow, with more than 35,000 tickets now issued every month, representing nearly 40 per cent of all transactions on ticket machines.

Ticket machines provide the 15-minute tickets in village main streets in Pyrmont, Potts Points, Darlinghurst, Glebe, Surry Hills, Redfern and Newtown.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the free 15-minute tickets accommodate shoppers who need to make quick stops at local shops and cafes, and in turn give local businesses a boost.

“We introduced the free 15-minute tickets to make local shopping easier, which is good for both residents and businesses,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It’s been a popular change, with many shoppers taking the 15-minutes to grab a park and run quick errands.

“It’s also been a great way to increase turnover of parking spaces for residents and retailers who may need them for their businesses.

“This change is one of many the City is introducing to deliver a parking scheme that is flexible and convenient and makes the most of the limited on-street parking available in our busy city precincts.”

In total, 114 ticket machines offer free 15-minute tickets, covering 725 ticket parking spaces.

The tickets are available for parking on Harris Street (Pyrmont), Macleay Street (Potts Point), Glebe Point Road (Glebe), William Street (Kings Cross), Crown, Victoria and Oxford streets (Darlinghurst), Redfern Street (Redfern) and King Street (Newtown).

To support the extension of the trial, the City is seeking an amendment to NSW road rules to ensure all drivers display a ticket.

Under existing road rules, the City cannot legally compel the display of a free ticket, making it difficult to monitor misuse and overstaying. A rule change would improve the parking available to genuine shoppers.

The current locations for free 15-minute parking will be maintained while the City seeks support for these changes, and may consider adding several new parking zones to the program in the future.

 

For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay on 0423 182 647 or pmackay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au