FAQs

Do Yarra Ranges residents need to pay to park in Warburton?

No - if you are a resident in Yarra Ranges you can park for free in Warburton but you must have a permit.

  

The Visitor Paid Parking Pilot project applies to visitors only and will conclude in July 2026. 

Residential permits are electronic – there will be no stickers or signs for your vehicles. 

Each permit must be linked to a property, allowing up to three vehicles per household, with additional permits considered on a case-by-case basis.
 
Residents will not have to pay for parking, but time limitations will still apply to provide fair access for all. 

 

Supporting Documents

You will need to provide supporting information that your vehicle is registered to a property in the Yarra Ranges.

You can do this by providing a copy of your car registration renewal letter.

Don't have a copy of your car registration renewal letter? You will need to provide a copy of both Proof of Residency and Proof of Vehicle ownership

Proof of Residency

You will need to provide one document from the list:

  • Rates Notice, or 
  • Leasing agreement or 
  • Property purchase agreement or 
  • Utility Bills (not later than 3 months), or 
  • Purchase Agreement, or 
  • Driver’s licence.  

Proof of Vehicle ownership

You will need to provide one document from this list:

  • Vehicle Registration Certificate, or 
  • Registration Renewal Notice or 
  • Car Insurance Policy/claim. 

 


If the pilot is successful, you can renew your permit, which will be valid for two years from the date the application is granted.

Visit the Residents Parking Permit Page for more information if needed.

When and where is the visitor paid parking and how much does it cost?

Visitor paid parking starts on 3 May 20205 and will operate between 9am-5pm on weekends and public holidays. It is located at:

  • Warburton Highway – first hour free then $6 per hour
  • Thomas Avenue - $3.50 per hour
  • Station Street - $3.50 per hour
  • Water World – $6 per hour

For more information on different parking options visit the Warburton Parking Map page

When will the visitor paid parking commence?

The Visitor paid parking pilot project starts on 3 May 2025 and concludes in July 2026. Once the pilot has concluded, Council will review the project to see if it will continue.

 

What about local business and traders permits?

Businesses owners who meet eligibility criteria will be able to apply for permit on behalf of staff associated with the business. 

The Trader Permits will allow holders to: 

  • Park in dedicated trader permit area for free (time unrestricted). 

  • Park for free in general paid parking restricted areas (Users are still required to obey the time restrictions applied.)

While the trader permits offer flexibility with parking, they do not guarantee a parking space and do not exempt permit holders from other road rules such as parking time restrictions.  

Please note
Business and Trader Parking Permits only relate to businesses located in the Thomas Ave and the Warburton Highway precinct where changes are being made.

Check if you are eligible

To be eligible for a Trader Parking Permit your business must: 

  • Be located within Thomas Avenue and Warburton Highway parking zone.
  • Be a registered Australian Business Number (ABN) or a registered Business Name and/or registered company with the appropriate licence, registration or other approval required by law relevant to the business type.
  • Be a person entitled to make application on behalf of the business.
  • Be a business is not linked to a residence within the same property.
  • Have no access to other private parking areas.

Businesses will be responsible for applying and managing permits on behalf of their staff (i.e. individual staff do not need to apply). 

Applications will be individually considered by Yarra Ranges Council, successful businesses will be asked to provide the relevant vehicle number in a Statutory Declaration. 

While we make every effort to make Trader Parking as widely available as possible we are unable to guarantee a permit will be granted. 

Applications will be individually considered by Yarra Ranges Council, successful businesses will be asked to provide the relevant vehicle number plates in a statutory declaration. 

While we make every effort to make Trader Parking as widely available as possible we are unable to guarantee a permit will be granted. 

Gather supporting documents
To qualify for a Trader Parking Permit you will need to provide proof of business occupancy at the address for which you are seeking a permit.

You will need to provide at least one of the following documents with your application:
  • Current commercial lease (must be signed and in the business name) OR
  • Rates notice (in the business name) OR
  • Recent utility invoice (issued in last 3 months, in the business’ name).

Complete your permit application

Once you've gathered your supporting information, you can apply online by completing the application form online.

 

 

 

Why was Warburton chosen for the pilot?

Council is piloting visitor 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 tourism visits to the Yarra Ranges predicted to double over the next decade, Council's next step is to test visitor paid parking. 

 

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. 

How does it work?

Station Street and Waterworld will use static Licence Plate Recognition Cameras. This will recognise and count vehicle licence plates upon entry and exit and allow us to display the number of available parking spaces on a digital wayfinding sign for visitors - similar to what you might see in shopping centres. 

Thomas Avenue will use sensors to identify the available number of parking bays. The number of available parking spaces will also be displayed on digital wayfinding signs. 

Warburton Highway will be managed as usual, through enforcement. 

Visitor paid parking applies at weekends and public holidays between 9am-5pm only. There are no payments on weekdays for visitors or residents.

If you are a resident and have a permit or your permit status is pending – you will be able to park in those areas for free. As permits are digital, you don’t need to do anything extra – there will be no paper permits. 

If you don’t have a permit – there is alternative parking available within the town or you can pay to parking to avoid a potential fine. 

Visitors will be able to pay for parking via meters, QR codes or by downloading the PayStay app.

 

How can I pay to park?

These are the payment methods:

You cannot use cash at the meters. All payments will be taken through credit/debit card. This is to reduce the risk of vandalism, streamline operations, and align with modern payment trends. 

 

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.

Visit the Warburton Parking Map page for more information.

 

I'm a resident and I didn't know I was exempt.

Residents can apply for their permit from via the Residents Parking Permit page.

Visitor Paid Parking will start from 3 May 2025 and there will be a two week 'grace' period where no fines will be issued.

Local residents will be provided with reminders about the visitor paid parking pilot and information on how to apply for a permit.

Council will issue information via post, through the rates notice, local newspaper, social media, website and in Warburton itself about the pilot project.

There will also be signs on the parking meters and generally around the town with QR codes so people can apply while in Warburton - alternatively there are other free parking options around the town. Check out the Warburton Parking Map for other options. 

 

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?

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.  

Along with Visitor Paid Parking, there have been a number of changes for parking in Warburton in line with in Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy which aims at improving parking outcomes across the municipality.

Will there be a 'grace' period?

Residents can apply for their permit from now via the Residents Parking Permit page.

Visitor Paid Parking will start from 3 May 2025 and there will be a two week 'grace' period where no fines will be issued.

Local residents will be provided with reminders about the visitor paid parking pilot and information on how to apply for a permit.

Council will issue information via post, through the rates notice, local newspaper, social media, website and in Warburton itself about the pilot project.

There will also be signs on the parking meters and generally around the town with QR codes.

 

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