Families, tradies and long-time residents in Maroubra rely on beachside street parking, but a proposed shift to paid parking is raising concerns about rising daily costs and whether some can stay in the suburb.
Plans aim to shift cost burden from locals to visitors
The proposal, established in March 2026, plans to introduce paid parking in the beach areas around Randwick, but residents will still be able to apply for permits to park for free. According to the consultation page on Visitor Pay Parking, the move is intended to ease pressure on locals who currently fund the bulk of beach maintenance through rates.
Consultation on the proposal ran from early March to mid-April 2026, with Council indicating a revised version is now being prepared following community feedback.
Maroubra households say limited permits could strain daily life
Many Maroubra households have more than one vehicle, but concerns have centred on how a permit system would work in practice. Council information outlined in its proposal FAQs initially suggested a single free permit per household, prompting feedback from families, carers and share houses who said that would not meet their needs.
For residents who depend on their vehicles for work, including tradespeople, the possibility of paying for street parking near home has been described as impractical. Some have indicated they may need to reconsider living in the area or look for alternatives such as off-site storage.
Small businesses fear fewer customers if parking comes at a cost
Local operators in Maroubra have also raised concerns about the effect on foot traffic. Businesses that rely on nearby residents and visitors driving in for appointments or classes have said that added parking costs could deter customers, particularly for small-scale services.
Community feedback gathered during the consultation period shows strong interest from residents worried about how accessible local services will remain if parking becomes more expensive or harder to secure.
Rising costs and high visitor numbers
Randwick has stated that maintaining its coastline costs about $23.5 million each year, covering services such as lifeguards, waste collection, stormwater management and coastal infrastructure.
In a statement on its website, it said a large share of beach users come from outside the area, with research suggesting visitors make up the majority during peak periods. Council argues that introducing paid parking for non-residents would help fund these services while improving parking turnover, making it easier for locals with permits to find spaces.
Reports cited that similar systems already operate in other Sydney coastal areas.
Thousands respond as consultation draws strong community input
Council meeting documents from April 2026 show that more than 7,000 online submissions and thousands of paper responses were received during consultation, making it one of the largest engagement processes undertaken.
Community campaigns have also emerged, including a petition hosted on Change.org, where residents have expressed concerns about affordability, access and the potential flow-on effects to surrounding streets.
Randwick City Council has indicated it is reviewing feedback and plans to release an updated proposal that may include more flexible permit arrangements. Details on pricing, permit numbers and rollout timing are expected to be clarified once the revised plan is presented to councillors.
Published 27-April-2026
