Sydney Beaches Could Introduce Paid Parking For Visitors Under New Council Proposal

Free parking at several of Sydney’s most popular eastern beaches could soon be scrapped, with a new proposal from Randwick Council set to introduce paid parking for visitors across multiple coastal suburbs.

The council has opened community consultation on a plan that would require non-residents to pay for parking at beaches including Coogee, Maroubra, Clovelly, Little Bay and La Perouse—areas that have historically offered some of the last remaining free beach parking in Sydney.

Under the proposal, local residents would still receive parking permits, while visitors could face hourly parking fees similar to those already in place at other major Sydney beaches.

Here’s what the proposed changes could mean for beachgoers.

Jump to:

• Which Sydney Beaches Could Introduce Paid Parking?
• Why Randwick Council Wants To Charge Visitors For Beach Parking
• How Beach Parking Would Work For Residents Vs Visitors
• When A Decision On Paid Beach Parking Will Be Made

Which Sydney Beaches Could Introduce Paid Parking?

If the proposal moves forward, paid parking would apply to visitors at several beaches within the Randwick local government area.

These include:

• Coogee Beach
• Maroubra Beach
• Clovelly Beach
• Little Bay Beach
• La Perouse

Aside from Coogee, many of these locations currently allow free parking for visitors—something that has become increasingly rare across Sydney’s busiest coastal suburbs.

Councils in areas like Bondi, Manly and Mosman already operate resident permit systems and charge visitors to park near popular beaches.

Why Randwick Council Wants To Charge Visitors For Beach Parking

Randwick Council says the proposal is aimed at balancing the cost of maintaining busy beachfront areas.

According to Mayor Dylan Parker, maintaining beaches, parks, surf clubs and public amenities in the area costs local ratepayers more than $23 million each year.

The council estimates introducing paid parking for visitors could generate around $6 million annually. That revenue would be directed toward beachside infrastructure, including new facilities, walkways, surf clubs and public spaces.

Council representatives argue the current system places a disproportionate financial burden on residents, even though a large portion of beach visitors travel from other parts of Sydney—particularly the inner city, inner west and surrounding council areas.

How Beach Parking Would Work For Residents Vs Visitors

While visitors could be required to pay to park near beaches, local households would still be eligible for parking permits.

Under the proposal:

• Each household would receive at least one free resident parking permit
• Visitor parking would be paid
• Parking rates have not yet been confirmed

Council materials sent to residents referenced existing beach parking prices elsewhere in Sydney, including around $10 per hour in Manly and $11.60 per hour near Bondi.

Similar resident-permit systems are already used by several waterfront councils across Sydney.

When A Decision On Paid Beach Parking Will Be Made

Randwick Council is currently collecting feedback from the public before making any final decision.

Community consultation on the proposal will remain open until 15 April, after which the council will review submissions and determine whether to move forward with the plan.

If approved, the changes would mark a significant shift for Sydney’s eastern beaches—where free visitor parking has long been one of the last remaining perks for summer beachgoers.

Image credit: Kye Blayney | Instagram