Woollahra Council: Visitors to Watsons Bay and Camp Cove granted 15-minute car parking, non-timed parking for residents

An eastern suburbs council has backtracked on its proposal to introduce timed-parking for locals at a glitzy beachside tourist meca after a fierce backlash. Here’s what it means for you.

Woollahra Mayor Richard Shields at his office in Woollahra Council

Residents have breathed a sigh of relief after Woollahra Council backflipped on its proposal to introduce timed parking for locals at the popular Watsons Bay and Camp Cove beaches, following fierce backlash.

Residents are now able to park indefinitely at 65 designated spaces, while visitors are allowed to park for just 15 minutes.

A further 441 unrestricted spaces would be available in the area for use by all drivers.

Acting president of the Watsons Bay Association Andrew Maloney said the “compromise” was a “good solution” for local residents.

No Parking, Permit Holder only , parking signs in the streets around Camp Cove at Watsons Bay. Picture: John Appleyard

“It’s been a long and tiring process and we were just trying to find a solution where the visitors can find parking spaces while the residents don’t have to struggle,” he said.

During peak tourist season, it is increasingly difficult for residents to find parking spaces close to their homes, where many heritage-listed cottages do not have garages or parking space.

“The problem is for three months of the year during summer, it is impossible to park anywhere near where I live,” Mr Maloney said.

Watsons Bay is one of the few beaches in Sydney that does not charge for parking. The surrounding streets also have some untimed parking space.

Plans for new parking restrictions in the streets around Camp Cove at Watsons Bay faced backlash. Picture: John Appleyard

In September, a proposal tabled with the council to launch a 12-month trial of two-hour timed parking on streets at Watsons Bay – rather than resident-only permit parking – resulted in stiff opposition by locals who feared battling for a parking spot close to home during the peak holiday season.

After the council discovered the existing parking rules in the area may have been unlawful, it set aside $25k for a second legal opinion which revealed the restricted parking allowed for resident permit holders breached rules.

In mid-November, the council voted to resolve the issue through a six month trial of 15-minute timed parking for visitors.

Woollahra mayor Richard Shields said the decision would provide lawful and sensible parking for visitors to the beach.

“This is a timely victory for the locals and the broader community ahead of what is expected to be a very busy summer,” Mr Shields said.

“Unlike many other councils, we don’t charge for beachside parking and we want to keep it that way.

Woollahra mayor Mayor Richard Shields with Vaucluse Ward Councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis at Camp Cove on December 1, 2023

“These 15 minute spaces will be ideal for beachgoers to drop off and pick up friends and family.”

The parking scheme was decided on following feedback from local residents and legal advice sought by the council, and additional signs advising residents and the public of the new changes have also been installed.

A council spokesman said it would continue discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which managed the existing free car parks at Camp Cove with the aim of improving the location of disability parking spaces and providing better accessibility to and from the beach.

Watsons Bay resident Tom Schutzinger – who has lived in the suburb for 37 years – said he was happy with the new arrangement.

“I do believe it’s a fair compromise,” Mr Schutzinger said. “We really don’t want to deter visitors from visiting such a beautiful place either,” he said.

Councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis said she was pleased with outcome.

“Working with the community and fellow councillors, we were able to achieve a sensible solution,” she said.

“It achieves a good balance between residents and visitors and it’s achieved without any metered parking so common in other beachside areas,” she said.