The Council has endorsed a precinct-wide approach to managing on-street parking to better address increasing demand, safety, turnover near activity centres, and fairness across residential and commercial areas in Kensington.

The Council undertook a comprehensive parking study in late 2024 to assess existing on-street parking conditions within the Kensington precinct. The study involved detailed surveys of all streets in the precinct on a typical weekday, with observations conducted at 7am, 10am, 1pm, and 4pm. Data collected included the number and location of vehicles parked on-street, as well as the estimated duration of stay for each vehicle.

Streets with observed parking occupancy levels exceeding 85% were identified as requiring new parking controls to improve turnover and access. Streets with occupancy levels between 65% and 85% will continue to be monitored, with no immediate changes proposed. Streets with low occupancy will generally remain unchanged, as they do not currently experience significant parking demand. It is noted, however, that in some instances streets within the 65%–85% range were proactively managed where they were likely to attract displaced parking from nearby new parking controls. In these cases, new parking controls will be implemented to ensure balanced parking outcomes across the area.

Yes, the ‘Kensington Precinct – On Street Parking Occupancy Review’ and ‘What we Heard Report’ can be accessed under the document library on this project page.

There are currently 901 unrestricted parking bays within the precinct, and 219 of these bays will be converted into a three-hour time limit in key locations to encourage turnover.

Yes. The Council considered peak demand periods including school pick-up and drop-off times.

The preferred place to park is on your own property, as this provides the most convenient access. If this is not possible, the next option is to use the nearest available legal on-street parking space that meets your time limit requirements.

The Council acknowledges that some heritage properties do not have off-street parking. These residents may be eligible for a parking permit.

You can apply for a parking permit.

Please note that eligibility criteria applies.

Please review the Council’s on-street parking permits page.

No. A parking parking permit allows you to overstay the timed parking control. The overstay time changes based upon the permit type. However, it does not reserve a specific parking space.

No. Parking permits are only available to eligible residents. Businesses are not entitled to permits for staff or customers.

Yes. Temporary Parking Permits for tradespeople may be issued at Council’s discretion in accordance with the On-Street Parking Policy. These permits are only available for major residential renovations or construction works (generally valued over $50,000) and are not issued for routine maintenance or minor works.

Visitors can park on your property where space is available. In some cases, visitor permits may be available. Otherwise, visitors can make use of nearby unrestricted parking areas or adhere to the timed parking limit. Council aims to balance the needs of residents with maintaining fair public access when applying parking restrictions. For further details, please refer to the Council’s on-street parking permits information. Visit: on-street parking permits information.

If you are an employee of a business in this area and your workplace does not have sufficient off-street parking spaces, you are encouraged to consider alternative travel options such as public transport, carpooling, cycling, or walking where possible.

No. Many people view the parking in front of their business or house to be their own parking space, when in fact it is public space, and is available to all, subject to complying with any parking control and the Australian Road Rules.

Time-limited parking promotes turnover near commercial areas and schools. This ensures more parking availability for customers and visitors while balancing residential parking.

In some instances streets within the 65%–85% range were proactively managed where they were likely to attract displaced parking from nearby new parking controls. In these cases, new parking controls will be implemented to ensure balanced parking outcomes across the area.

The Council’s precinct-based approach helps avoid this issue by applying consistent and logical restrictions across all streets within a defined area. Staff will also complete a post implementation review to understand how effective the controls have been.

Individual requests often create uneven treatment and displace the problem. The Council applies a consistent precinct-based approach to ensure equitable and effective outcomes in accordance with the On-Street Parking Policy.

As stated in the Council’s On-street Parking Policy, permits are not available for trucks, trailers, caravans, boats, buses, or motor homes. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to ensure these types of vehicles are parked within their own property or other suitable parking area.

The Council’s Compliance Officers will monitor the new parking controls. This encourages compliance and maintains fairness.

Yes. The Council will undertake a post-implementation review approximately 12 months after the new restrictions are in place. This review will assess how effective the changes are in addressing parking issues and whether any adjustments are required. During this period, residents will be encouraged to provide feedback, which will be considered as part of the review process.

The new parking controls will generally be implemented as an area-wide 3-hour parking zone. This means the parking area will be identified by larger 'Start Parking Control' and 'End Parking Control' signs installed at key entry and exit points, rather than individual parking signs along every street.

This approach reduces the amount of signage required within the streetscape while clearly defining the area where the 3-hour parking limit applies.

Some locations will continue to have specific parking controls and traditional parking signs where required, such as school pick-up and set-down areas, disability parking spaces, loading zones, and other special-use parking areas.