Paid Parking in Warburton

Council will be commencing a pilot program for paid parking to be introduced into some areas of Warburton in late 2024.

This program will help: 

  • Encourage vehicle turnover
  • Provide equitable access to parking facilities
  • Improve visitor experience
  • Improve liveability for local community
  • Increase revenue opportunities for local businesses

Please find below a list of Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the pilot program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Warburton chosen for the pilot?

Council is piloting paid parking in Warburton in response to ongoing feedback and concerns raised by community members and local businesses in Warburton in relation to parking. 

Implementation of this pilot program will:

  • Encourage vehicle turnover
  • Provide equitable access to parking facilities
  • Improve visitor experience
  • Improve liveability for local community
  • Increase revenue opportunities for local businesses

In 2022, Council approved the Integrated Transport Strategy, which outlines our commitment to improving parking across the region. Council has taken a number of actions to resolve the problem. These included increased enforcement and a review of existing parking restrictions. With visitation to Yarra Ranges predicted to double over the next decade, Council's next step is to test paid parking. 

 

Will Yarra Ranges residents need to pay?

No. With soon-to-be introduced resident parking permits, Yarra Ranges residents will not need to pay for parking. Both homeowners and renters fall under this category.

 

How can I get a resident permit and how will they work?

The exact permit system is still being considered but it is expected that residents would be able to get their permits online or in person. Council will be there to support residents every step along the way. Residents will have ample time to learn about the new parking system and receive their permits before the changes take place.  

All households in the Yarra Ranges will be eligible for parking permits which would allow them to park in paid parking spots for free. The number of parking permits per household is yet to be determined but will be raised during the community consultation of the upcoming Parking Management Framework. 

Residents will not have to pay for parking, but time limitations will still apply to provide fair access for all. 

 

What about local business and traders permits?

Community Engagement on the upcoming Parking Management Framework will take place later in the year and will seek feedback on business/traders permits. Council will work with impacted traders in Warburton to determine the best approach.

 

Whereabouts in Warburton will the paid parking areas be?

Parking in Warburton Water World, Thomas Avenue and Warburton Hwy/Station Street will be included in the pilot. 

Council will communicate with the community about the locations as soon as they are confirmed. 

 

When will the paid parking commence?

Council is planning for the pilot to start late 2024-early 2025. The exact dates of the pilot will depend on the length of the public tender process and contractors’ availability.

 

Will there be any free or long-term parking options in Warburton?

Yes. In Warburton over 130 parking places will remain free with most of them being long term parking. These spaces are located within reasonable walking distance from the town centre of Warburton and Warburton Water World.

 

What technology will be used to improve the traffic and parking situation in Warburton?

Council intends to pilot several parking technology initiatives, including: 

  • Parking signs with wayfinding features that make it easier for cars to find parking spaces. These signs usually indicate the amount of parking spaces available or the direction to follow in real time using clear symbols, arrows, and occasionally even dynamic displays.  

  • In-ground parking sensors that track the presence or absence of cars in certain spots and transmit that data to electronic signs that direct traffic to the closest open space  

  • Cameras equipped with licence plate recognition technology (LPR) can read the registration numbers of cars to find out how many are parked in a lot, how long they've been there, and if they have a permit. 

Is CCTV used in the paid parking pilot?

The cameras used are not CCTV cameras. They are Licence Plate Recognition cameras that do not record video and are used solely for the purpose of capturing vehicle registration plates via photos, upon entry and exit of the car parks.

 

How will my data and privacy be protected?

Yarra Ranges complies with The Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) and other applicable information security policies, standards, and guidelines. Aero Ranger (the software that Council officers use when patrolling) comply with all the requirements with respect to the collection, management and disclosure of your personal information set out in the Act. 

Licence plate data collected is not linked to the vehicle owner/driver’s information, which is a requirement of the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act). 

 

Is this a revenue raising exercise?

The main priority for this change is to enable better movement and outcomes for locals, businesses and visitors when it comes to parking. Improving parking management is also a key objective in Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy.  

In addition, Yarra Ranges residents are bearing the cost every year for maintaining Council infrastructure, such as car parks, pathways, public toilets, playgrounds, BBQs, and furniture, as well as other services like grass mowing, tree management, and township cleaning. 

Visitor paid parking allows residents and visitors to the Yarra Ranges to continue enjoying our townships while more fairly distributing the costs associated with maintaining these areas as any revenue made from the paid parking pilot program will be reinvested back into the local community and infrastructure.  

Council will provide more detail on what this looks like in the future. 

 

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