Sydney beachgoers could soon have to pay for parking, under a new proposal aimed at helping fund the upkeep of some of the city’s most popular beaches.
Randwick Council has launched a six-week community consultation on introducing paid parking for visitors at seven local beaches. The proposal would affect parking near Clovelly Beach, Coogee Beach, Maroubra Beach, Malabar Beach, Little Bay Beach, La Perouse Beach and Yarra Bay.
The change would only affect non-residents – locals would be exempt through a permit system they could apply for.
According to council figures, around nine million visits are made to Randwick’s beaches each year, with as many as 84% of visitors coming from outside the local government area.
At present, Randwick ratepayers fund the full cost of maintaining these beach spaces, which the council says totals around $23.5 million annually.
Those costs include lifeguard services, beach cleaning, rubbish collection, park and coastal infrastructure maintenance, and upkeep of public amenities.
Mayor Dylan Parker said the proposal was designed to create a more balanced funding model, and also helping local residents find parking.
“Our beaches belong to everyone, and everyone is welcome to enjoy them,” Parker said in a statement. “But it’s only fair that people who visit our beaches also contribute to the cost of maintaining them.”
He said the issue had been raised repeatedly by residents, particularly during busy summer months when parking can become scarce in beachside suburbs.
“Right now, local ratepayers carry most of that cost, even though the bulk of beach users in summer are visitors,” Parker said.
“That’s not fair or sustainable in the long term.”
Under the proposal, local households would be able to apply for parking permits that allow them to park without paying fees in designated beachside areas. The move is also intended to make it easier for residents to secure a parking space near their homes and local beaches.
Randwick proposal: paid parking at other Sydney beaches
Paid beach parking is already common across other parts of Sydney’s coastline, including Bondi, Manly, Bronte, Dee Why and Watsons Bay, where councils have operated visitor parking systems for years.
Randwick Council says introducing similar arrangements would bring its beaches into line with these other popular coastal destinations.
Any revenue generated from visitor parking would be reinvested directly into beach-related services and infrastructure, according to the council.
Mayor Parker said this could include upgrades to amenities buildings, surf lifesaving club facilities, coastal walkways and other infrastructure, as well as supporting more sustainable transport options for beach access.
“Providing beaches that are clean, safe and inviting is a significant cost for locals alone to bear,” Parker said.
“This proposal is about ensuring we can fairly continue serving the needs of all beachgoers.”
Community feedback on the proposal will be gathered through a consultation process running from 4 March to 15 April 2026.
Residents can participate by completing an online survey, or be doing the a paper survey that’ being distributed to all Randwick households. A telephone survey is also being conducted with 600 local residents.
Council staff will also host public drop-in sessions where community members can ask questions about the proposal.
The sessions will take place at Coogee Beach Promenade on Saturday 21 March from 10am to 12pm, and at McKeon Street Plaza at Maroubra Beach on Saturday 28 March from 10am to 12pm.
