Frequently asked questions

Why has the City of Melbourne implemented the new Carlton Parking and Access Strategy?

Extensive research and community consultation since 1999 has shown there are persistent problems with parking access across Carlton. In many areas street parking is almost fully occupied from mid morning until late afternoon on weekdays, and heavily used on weeknights and weekends. In peak periods, it is increasingly difficult for shoppers, visitors and commuters to access short-term parking spaces near Lygon Street and other popular retail and entertainment precincts.

In an effort to free up short term parking supply across Carlton, the City of Melbourne has implemented the Carlton Parking and Access Strategy. The aim is to encourage changes in travel behaviour among residents and visitors. All measures have been carefully considered and aim to deliver a fairer, more efficient parking system for Carlton. They are also designed to minimise impact on any one group and provide benefits for the whole community.

I am a Carlton Resident. Will i still be able park near my own home?

Yes, your existing entitlements for your own parking needs will not change. You are still able to access two resident parking permits per household if your home was built before June 2005.

Will visitors still be able to park outside my home for longer periods than those specified by normal parking restrictions?

You will no longer have access to an annual multi-use permit for visitors but you would be able to access a new voucher system to enable visitors to park near your home. Council will offer residents quarterly voucher booklets that contain 18 permits. These will cost $20 per quarter and can be used at the discretion of the resident.

I am a Lygon Street trader. How will these measures improve parking access for my customers?

The new parking measures will free up short-term car parking space in high use and nearby residential areas for your customers. These measures will also create greater awareness of commercial off-street parking facilities and other transport modes within Carlton.

Where are you putting parking meters? Also, if i have parking meters outside my home, will i have to pay for parking?

Council will locate parking meters in ‘high demand’ business, mixed use and residential zoned areas where commuter and other long term ‘non residential’ parking is a critical issue. Council wants to encourage turnover of parking in business and mixed use areas and discourage non-residential parking in residential zoned areas. Lygon Street will be exempt from having parking meters installed.

Parking meters are seen to assist this objective. Council has not determined the locations of any additional parking meters, as it would like to extensively consult with the Carlton community first.

If parking meters have been placed in a resident parking scheme area and you are entitled to an on street parking permit, you would be entitled to park in metered parking areas. However, if you are not eligible for a parking permit, you would be subject to the prescribed parking meter fee and the relevant time limits.

I am a regular visitor to Carlton. How will the new parking measures affect me?

You will have greater access to short-term parking spaces across Carlton in specified areas. You ill also be better able to access commercial car parking stations throughout Carlton and would be better advised of the availability of car spaces in these locations.

I am considering buying a new residential apartment in Carlton. Can i get an on-street permit?

NO. You will not have access to the Residential Parking Scheme if the dwelling is completed after June 2005. There may be exceptional circumstances in which case eligibility will be recorded on the Council’s property information system.

I am a resident of a new student housing facility. Do i have access to an on street parking permit?

NO. Residents of purpose built student accommodation are expected to use other travel options such as walking, cycling and public transport.

I am a residential property developer. What do i need to know about the proposed changes?

The Council is proposing an amendment to the Melbourne Planning Scheme to introduce a Parking Precinct Plan for Carlton. This proposed amendment sets out the minimum parking rates for new residential development and student accommodation across Carlton and provides greater certainty and clear direction for developers, the community and Council officers.

Of course, if there are exceptional circumstances as to why a particular development cannot contain on site parking (for example, heritage conservation reasons or other site constraints) it may still be possible for residents to have access to the Residential Parking Scheme. Exceptional circumstances will be established at the planning permit application stage.

The City of Melbourne values and seeks your feedback on the Carlton Access and Parking Management Strategy and Access and Parking Framework. For further information call the City of Melbourne Hotline 9658 9658.