Bondi residents are still getting busted but city slickers will be shown leniency: How to know if your Sydney suburb is still issuing parking fines during lockdown – and how to avoid getting one
- Councils are divided over whether to ease parking restrictions during lockdown
- Demand for on-street parking increases as residents forced to work from home
- Relaxed parking rules for CBD, Inner West, Randwick and the Sutherland Shire
- Waverley Council says parking rules will remain in place 'for the benefit of all'
Sydney councils are torn over whether to enforce parking fines during lockdown as businesses shut and more people are forced to work from home.
Parking rules are set to be relaxed in some parts of of the city but locals in other areas won't be shown any leniency.
Residents in the CBD, Inner West, Randwick and Sutherland Shire are expected to be let off on their next parking fine, while those living in Bondi will still be slapped with a ticket if they exceed their time limit.
Sydney councils remain divided over whether to relax parking rules, with some suburbs relaxing parking fines
Sydney and Melbourne took a flexible approach to parking fines during last year's lockdowns, easing rules around green-signed parking zones while keeping red 'no stopping' restrictions in place.
Rangers patrolling Sydney's Inner West local government area, which stretches from Balmain to Marrickville, have been directed not to issue fines to residents overstaying their parking limit in residential areas.
Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne said rangers will be 'prioritising safety, not issuing infringement notices'.
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The council received a raft of complaints during last year's lockdown over cars blocking driveways in residential streets.
Councillor Byrne claimed parking will be free for 30 minutes with meters switched off at 7pm for suburbs across the area.
He suggested other councils follow suit.
Waverley Council, which covers Bondi Junction, Bondi and Bronte beaches, said rangers are still out on duty and residents and visitors are urged to adhere to parking rules for the benefit of all.
Residents in the CBD, Inner West, Randwick and Sutherland Shire will see flexible parking restrictions
'Waverley residents displaying residential parking permits within scheme areas can continue to park legally for the entire day,' the Council said.
'Timed parking zones are in place for the benefit of local businesses, residents and those needing to access facilities in Waverley.'
It's a different story in the City of Parramatta in Sydney's west, which has seen an 80 per cent reduction in fines as the demand for on-street parking dropped in the last two weeks.
Parking rangers will ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers by preventing hazards created by unlawful parking.
They're also helping businesses by making sure the community can access essential services through the timely turnover of parking spots.
The council is currently considering bringing back parking rules from last year's lockdown which included increased short-term parking spots for takeaway services and longer grace periods that meant two cautions were given before any fines were issued.
Waverley Council says parking rangers are still on duty and will be issuing infringement notices to residents and visitors who breach parking limits
In Randwick Council a 'common sense approach' will be taken by parking rangers, who will only issue fines for vehicles parked in a dangerous or unsafe manner.
Sutherland Shire will be taking a 'considered approach' to parking restrictions, saying it would focus on responding to complaints from residents relating to incidents which pose a threat to public safety.
Anyone wishing to discuss a parking fine should contact Revenue NSW.
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