Watsons Bay timed parking trial: Plans for timed parking on Cliff St, Pacific St and Cove St deferred by Woollahra Council

Plans to introduce timed parking for streets surrounding a popular summer swimming spot have been deferred, after council said it would investigate if existing rules exposed it to “legal risk”

Crowds at Camp Cove Beach on Australia Day. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Plans to introduce timed parking for streets surrounding a popular summer swimming spot have been deferred, after council said it would investigate if existing rules exposed it to “legal risk”.

A proposal to launch a 12-month trial of two-hour timed parking on streets at Watsons Bay – rather than resident-only permit parking – saw stiff opposition from locals who feared battling for a parking spot close to home during the peak holiday season.

A raft of residents addressed a recent Woollahra traffic committee meeting and submitted letters claiming the change would only increase fierce competition for parking during peak periods. The traffic committee was unable to come to an agreement with the four members split on the proposed trial.

Letters submitted to the council noted that many of the area’s weatherboard cottage properties did not have onsite carparking, with one submission suggesting the trial would mean residents “lose any chance of finding a parking spot as they compete with visitors”.

Now, a motion carried 13 votes to one has determined the council have a report prepared around timing and proposed costs of obtaining external legal advice on several issues, including whether maintaining the existing arrangements exposed it to legal risk.

Camp Cove Beach. Picture: Tim Hunter.

An amendment put and lost by councillor Harriet Price noted advice from lawyer Dr Lindsay Taylor that the Watson’s Bay permit parking scheme was “unlawful to the extent that parking permits are issued for vehicular parking in areas where parking is otherwise prohibited so as to establish those areas as an exclusive parking areas”.

The 12-month trial was proposed to take place across Cliff St, Pacific St and Cove St as harbour beaches Camp Cove and Watsons Bay Beach – both popular summer attractions – are set for bigger crowds this holiday period due to the ongoing closure of Nielsen Park.

Sydney Harbour, seen from Camp Cove. Picture: Monique Harmer.

Council papers state an increased turnover of parked cars would ease problems during the peak summer period when congestion was highest, but accepted parking problems would “probably never be fully resolved”.

The papers state rangers would increase their monitoring of parking compliance to address ongoing parking and traffic issues in the suburb.

The Woollahra Finance, Community and Services Committee considered the issue at its recent meeting, eventually resolving to not recommend proceeding with the trial.

Legal advice will be sought and a report prepared for councillors at the September 26 council meeting.