Tourists to pay $6 per hour to park in Warburton during controversial paid parking trial

Visitors will be slugged up to $6 an hour to park on the busy streets of a popular Yarra Valley tourist town during a controversial paid parking trial.

The Warburton paid parking trial is set to begin later in 2025. Picture: Supplied.

Visitors to one of the Yarra Valley’s major tourist towns will be slugged up to $6 an hour for parking during a paid parking trial set to begin in December.

The controversial pilot plan outlines location specific fees for streets in the popular tourist town of Warburton.

Parking at Water World will cost $6 an hour while Station St and Thomas Ave will charge $3.50 per hour excluding transaction fees.

It could cost $6 an hour to park at Warburton Water World. Picture: Supplied.

Parking along the Warburton Highway will be free for the first hour, then $6 for each additional hour and those who don’t pay could be hit with a $99 fine.

The proposal includes exemptions for Yarra Ranges residents and eligible Warburton traders.

Residents and workers will have to apply for an exemption online.

Warburton local Claire Thompson said it was already a “nightmare” to park around town without adding more confusion.

“It seems ridiculous I will need to go and get a permit just to go down to the shops,” she said.

“It just seems very confusing for residents and I think it will just drive tourists away.”

Warburton locals have complained of traffic congestion during weekends and holidays. Picture: Supplied.

The plan outlines multiple payment options for tourists including at a meter, through an app, over the phone or by scanning a QR code.

“This targeted approach ensures that fees address parking issues during peak visitation times without imposing unnecessary costs on users during quieter periods,” the proposal reads.

At the council meeting on Tuesday night Melba ward councillor Mitch Mazzarella raised concerns about tourists being unable to use cash to pay for parking.

Despite concerns, Yarra Ranges councillors voted to green light the parking plan on Tuesday night.