Narrow streets and limited parking already shape daily life in Clovelly, but a proposed expansion of paid parking is raising concerns that access to homes and the coastline could become more difficult and more expensive for residents.
The proposal, established in March 2026, plans to introduce paid parking in the beach areas around Randwick, but residents will still be able to apply for permits to park for free. According to the consultation page on Visitor Pay Parking, the move is intended to ease pressure on locals who currently fund the bulk of beach maintenance through rates.
The consultation ran from early March to mid-April 2026, with Council now reviewing feedback and preparing a revised version of the plan.
Tight parking conditions in Clovelly add to resident concerns
Parking in Clovelly is already constrained by the suburb’s layout, with many homes lacking off-street parking and relying on street spaces. Residents have raised concerns that introducing paid parking could place additional pressure on streets that are already heavily used, particularly during weekends and summer periods when beach traffic increases.
Local discussion has highlighted uncertainty about how the proposed permit system would work in practice. Community posts from the area have suggested that resident permits may still be tied to existing time limits, meaning drivers would need to move their vehicles once timed parking expires.
This has raised concerns that residents could face restrictions similar to visitors, particularly in high-demand areas close to the beach.
Some residents have also argued that introducing meters would not increase the number of available spaces, but could change how long vehicles stay, potentially affecting turnover in ways that do not benefit locals.
Others have suggested the proposal could push more visitors to park further into residential streets, increasing competition for spaces away from the beachfront.
While many residents have raised concerns, others see potential benefits. Some community members have suggested that charging for parking could discourage visitors from driving, which may reduce congestion and encourage the use of public transport.
Funding needed to maintain coastline services
Randwick City Council has said it spends about $23.5 million each year maintaining its coastline, including lifeguards, cleaning, stormwater systems and coastal infrastructure. In its public statements, the council has said many beach users come from outside the local area, and that introducing paid parking for visitors would help fund these services.
Council documents from April 2026 show more than 7,000 online submissions and thousands of additional responses were received during consultation.
Community campaigns, including a petition on Change.org, have also raised concerns about affordability, access and the impact on local neighbourhoods.
Randwick City Council has indicated it is preparing an updated version of the proposal, which may address issues raised during consultation, including permit limits and access.
Published 28-April-2026
