Parking permit fees 2015/16 – frequently asked questions
Q. What are the permit fees for 2015/16?
Not all residents are eligible for permits or vouchers. To find out what permits you are
eligible for please contact our Citizen Services Team on 9243 8888.
Permit type
First residential permit
Second residential permit
First visitor permit
Second visitor permit
Temporary parking vouchers
(10 x daily parking permits)
Fee
$0
$0
$0
$66
$22
Fee (pensioner/ concession)
$0
$0
$0
$33
$11
Q. Do my rates cover the cost of parking permits?
Council provides many services, some of which are covered by rates and some of
which incur additional costs. Although a minimal fee that covers 12 months, parking
permits are an additional cost. The concept of ’user pays’ applies to a range of Council
services.
Parking permits are unfortunately not an entitlement. They are a service provided by
Council on a public road asset. Usually parking permits are only necessary in areas
where this asset is in high demand.
Q. Why does Council charge for some parking permits?
The demand for parking permits is already greater than the number of parking spaces
available in some parts of the city. Yet our population and that of cities around Moonee
Valley continues to increase which, if not managed, could lead to more traffic,
congestion and parking pressures.
To manage this growing challenge, Council needs a strategic approach in place with
tools to help encourage better use of available on and off street parking as well as less
car reliance, especially for those living in and visiting busy, high density areas, where
parking is a limited resource.
1
One way to do this is to place fees on permits. Moonee Valley is not unique in doing
this. Other inner Melbourne councils are experiencing the same issues and have had to
review their parking processes, including reducing permit entitlements and charging a
fee for the service.
Our records show that the majority of residents with permit entitlements access no more
than two resident permits and one visitor permit, all of which are free. The purpose of
putting fees on the second visitor permit and temporary parking vouchers is to
encourage people to think first before accessing these additional permits or using them
for the wrong reasons, like giving them to commuters or events patrons. Our aim is also
to help encourage less car reliance and increased use of sustainable transport for those
living in and visiting the area.
Other ways Council is trying to achieve this includes:
 Running the Walking School Bus for primary school children.
 Upgrading cycling and walking paths.
 Developing local walking maps.
 Concentrating residential growth in and around areas that have good access to
public transport, shops and services (so people can walk or cycle to local centres
rather than drive).
 Advocating to State Government for public transport improvements.
Q. Does Council make a profit with their parking permit scheme?
The parking permit scheme is run at a substantial loss to help those in areas where
parking demand is high. Compared to other councils in Melbourne, we generally allow
more permits, and more of those permits for free.
Q. Why do we need to pay for a visitor parking permit when the reason we need
the permit is due to the events at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and
Flemington Racecourse?
The first visitor parking permit is free. The second visitor permit costs $63 for the year,
which equates to about 18 cents per day. Alternatively people in the ‘events area’ can
purchase temporary parking vouchers, consisting of 10 daily parking permits, which cost
only $22.
In many streets around the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds and Flemington
Racecourse, parking restrictions only apply when Council determines when event
parking restrictions are required. This depends on the expected number of event
patrons and whether or not parking can be accommodated within the venue. Council
maintains a list of the ‘major events’ that trigger the Permit Zones on their website and
update large signs within the ‘events area’ to notify residents and visitors when the next
major event is on.
2
At all other times residents and visitors can park without the need for a permit.
Unfortunately large numbers of transferrable permits (like visitor permits) can end up
being sold or given to event patrons. This disadvantages residents and genuine visitors.
Council encourages, where possible, all people - both residents and visitors - to travel
by sustainable transport, especially in areas that have good access to public transport
and where parking supply is in high demand.
Q. How can I provide for visitors parking near my home?
The first visitor parking permit is free. The second visitor permit costs $66 for the year.
Alternatively some people are able to purchase temporary parking vouchers (10 daily
parking permits) which cost only $22.
Q. What can be done if I feel the permits allowed for my household are not
appropriate for my personal circumstances?
Council has a review process in place that allows us to re-look at specific situations, like
age, disability and hardship. More information about this process and an appeals form is
located on our website at mvcc.vic.gov.au/parkingpermits or by calling 9243 8888.
Q. Do you support pensioners through lower fees?
The fees for permits and temporary parking vouchers are discounted by 50 per cent for
pensioners.
3