Visitors to the Peninsula will pay to park at three popular foreshore locations to help share the cost of maintaining infrastructure and provide fairer access for everyone.
On 30 May 2023 Council resolved to pilot paid parking for visitors to better manage the growing demand on limited public foreshore parking and help maintain foreshore infrastructure for everyone to enjoy.
A Visitor Paid Parking Pilot will be put in place at three locations in time for the summer period and run for at least six months. Using a camera-based paperless system, the Pilot will test technology and parking controls at these foreshore locations:
- Schnapper Point Foreshore carpark, Mornington
- Sunnyside North Beach Foreshore carpark, Mount Eliza
- Flinders Pier Foreshore carpark, Flinders
While multiple locations across the Peninsula were considered, the three selected sites ranked highest when assessing key pilot control factors such as cost, different user needs, the range of rules able to be tested, potential to improve vehicle turnover and technology considerations.
The hourly rate at all sites is $6.20, with variable time limits to apply at each of the locations.
Residents are exempt from paying but required to follow any parking time limits that apply. All residents will be able to apply for up to five Foreshore Parking Permits per household, which will enable free parking. Consideration of other parking users such as businesses, staff and emergency services will be addressed as planning for the Pilot progresses and engagement with key stakeholders continues.
The Pilot will be up and running in time for next summer to capture important data over the peak visitation period.
There will be flexibility to adjust parking controls throughout the duration of the Pilot if necessary, taking into consideration parking use within the area and stakeholder and user feedback. Following the initial Pilot, Council will consider all feedback received and data collected. A successful review of the Pilot could see further expansion of the system to other foreshore areas on the Peninsula.
