Free weekend parking gone as Melbourne Council flags contentious overhaul to CBD rules

One major Australian city has announced controversial changes to a common weekend parking feature – something that could change how long you can park in the CBD.

Melburnians will have to say goodbye to free parking on Sundays as the CBD council brings in a new set of rules and regulation.

Motorists will now have to pay for parking on Sundays unlike previously, in a move that’s sparked backlash among locals.

The council has promised that it will make the rules “fairer” and will include hundreds more spaces.

The rules will now be that there is “consistent 2-hour paid parking limits every day, 7am to 10pm, including Sunday”.

Melbourne Council promises that the move will do away with confusing parking signs and rules.

However many commuters are unhappy they will have to pay for parking on Sundays.

Parking rates will still max out at $7 an hour and the council has introduced a new off peak rate of $4 on Saturdays and Sundays and after 7pm on weekdays.

Loading zones will also be converted into paid parking after 4pm, which will make 500 parking spaces available in the evenings.

The move was described as making the parking “simpler” by Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

“Businesses need confidence that their customers can find a park, and deliveries will arrive on time. That’s why we’re making up to 15 minutes of parking free, creating consistent 2-hour limits and installing clearer signs,” she said.

“This isn’t a ‘set and forget’ approach – we will work regularly with the community to bring the plan to life in all Melbourne neighbourhoods.”

However there’s been mixed responses from the community.

“Funny how the lord mayor keeps banging on about getting people into the city then this crap … You want people to come in stop charging them as much just to get there,” one person said on Reddit.

“These changes would honestly make me think twice about coming in so often,” another said.

“It’s not so much being forced to pay until 10pm (though that sucks) but the two hour restrictions – completely impractical for someone coming into the CBD for a show, gig, movie etc let alone if you were planning on getting a meal too and supporting the CBD businesses we keep hearing are suffering.”

Others agreed with the move because it would stop some motorists from coming to the city.

“Honestly cars should be banned from the CBD. Roads that have been closed are the nicest spots and people flock to them,” one person said.

Originally published as Free weekend parking gone as Melbourne Council flags contentious overhaul to CBD rules