Melbourne CBD parking overhaul could see drivers billed every day of the week

The City of Melbourne’s controversial move to charge people to park after hours and on Sundays in the CBD has been slammed by the state opposition.

The City of Melbourne wants to extend paid parking. Picture: Jason Edwards

The state opposition has blasted a City of Melbourne plan to charge CBD motorists to park after hours and on Sundays.

Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell said the move was “absolute bonkers”.

“We need to be getting people back to our city. We need our city to be thriving once again,” he said.

“We don’t need disincentives for people to come and visit Melbourne – a once thriving metropolis.”

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said parking decisions were a matter for the City of Melbourne.

But Ms Allan said the city had bounced back post Covid.

“I think anyone who has spent any time in and around the CBD can see that it is absolutely thriving,” she said.

“It is a place where there is so much activity going on right now.”

CBD motorists are set to be slugged for Sunday and after hours street parking.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands the City of Melbourne is planning a controversial parking shakeup which could see city motorists billed every day of the week in a bid to make up for lost parking revenue.

The council is looking to introduce paid street parking on Sundays and is considering extending meter parking past 8.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

The City of Melbourne suffered a $1.4m loss in parking meter revenue between October to December last year, according to its most recent quarterly performance report.

The council is also weighing up discounted parking fees on weekends to soften the blow for Sunday visitors.

The move would bring Melbourne in line with other inner city councils such as Port Phillip, which enforces paid meter parking in tourist areas on Sundays.

Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas said extending paid parking hours would only hurt city traders during their busiest times and urged the council to consult with local businesses before making any changes.

CBD motorists are set to be slugged for Sunday and after hours street parking

“The hospitality sector is really struggling to rebuild so I feel the council should, as a general principle, work to encourage more people to visit our city,” Mr Lucas said.

“I know our city council wants the same so I really encourage our councillors to enter into dialogue with us so we can work in a collaborative fashion.”

Mr Lucas said the city’s recovery post-Covid depended on “a vibrant and strong retail and hospitality scene”.

“Increasing costs or making it more difficult to access the city on the weekends is of concern as it’s our major trading period,” he said.

The City of Melbourne refused to confirm if there would be any changes to parking in its upcoming budget.

The council announced its draft parking management plan last month, which would see some inner city parking bays removed to allow for wider footpaths and trees.

It has also proposed “demand-based pricing”, which would see parking fees surge during busy periods and lower parking prices at off-peak times.

A council spokeswoman said it will consider the findings of the Parking and Kerbside Management Plan on May 16 – the same day the City of Melbourne’s annual budget is set to released.

Street parking is currently free on Sundays and after 8.30pm from Monday to Saturday in the CBD.

Meter parking currently costs $7 per hour in the central city area.