Overview

We recognise that demand for parking in Watsons Bay has increased, making it more difficult for both residents and visitors to obtain parking, in particular on weekends and public holidays.

In 2022, we reviewed parking conditions in the Watsons Bay area, including the existing Resident Permit Parking Scheme, to help ensure fair and equitable use of the available on-street parking in Watsons Bay.

Many of the historic cottages and houses in this location do not have off-street parking.

We consulted with the community in 2022

Residents were invited to complete a short survey and to share their feedback on parking in Watsons Bay between 24 November - 22 December 2022.

Based on feedback about the challenges local residents with parking permits had in finding parking spaces, particularly in peak times, Council resolved in November 2023 that a Permit Parking Trial scheme be operated for six months over the summer period from 1 December 2022, for the existing permit parking spaces in this area to have ‘P15minute Permit Holders Excepted’ restrictions.

Six-month trial of 15-minute parking in Watsons Bay

A six-month trial of parking restrictions began on 1 December 2023 and “P15minute Permit Holders Excepted” signs were installed. We monitored parking in the area during the trial including conducting parking occupancy surveys to observe the parking conditions on all local streets and publicly accessible car parking areas.

The surveys were conducted on Saturday 9 December 2023, Thursday 18 January and Sunday 21 January 2024 at 1-hour intervals between 10am-11am, 1pm-2pm, 4pm-5pm and 7pm-8pm.

The parking surveys were intended to capture parking demand on typical weekdays and weekends and were compared to the results before the trial permit parking restrictions were installed for a ‘before and after’ analysis.

We sought additional feedback from residents after the trial and a report was prepared recommending 15-minute parking become permanent

At the end of the trial period local residents and owners were sent a questionnaire on the parking trial. A total of 424 surveys were sent and 70 submissions received. The majority of responses were in favour of Council maintaining the 15-minute parking restrictions. A report was then prepared by Council staff in June 2024 with the recommendation to make the 15-minute parking restrictions permanent.

Transport for NSW Permit Parking Guidelines released July 2024

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) released new Permit Parking Guidelines 2024 (LINK) on 1 July 2024. The revised Guidelines set a minimum one-hour (1P) requirement of permissive parking for non-permit holders which affected Council’s proposal to make 15-minute parking (permit holders excepted) permanent in the area.

One-hour parking restrictions installed

On 12 August 2024, to comply with TfNSW’s Permit Parking Guidelines, Council resolved to change all 15-minute parking to one-hour (1P) parking. This required all ‘P15minute Permit Holders Excepted Area WB1’ restrictions in Watsons Bay, to be replaced with ‘1P Permit Holders Excepted Area WB1’ restrictions and was implemented on 10 September 2024.

We will continue to monitor parking in this area.