The second stage of Byron Bay’s controversial paid parking scheme was rolled out over the weekend, with four-hour and all-day parking meters now operational in the town centre.
The final machines were installed in the outer areas of the CBD including: along the beachfront at Lawson Street through to Massinger Street; the remainder of Jonson Street; Shirley Street (east of Milton St); the north side of Somerset Street and Butler Street (to Somerset St).
Butler Street Reserve has also been opened and will provide parking from 6am to 1am daily.
Byron Shire Council’s transport and traffic planner Simon Bennett said the free parking spaces in residential areas adjoining the pay parking zone would now have either a two-hour or four-hour time limit restriction put in place.
‘The new time limits in residential areas are being put in place to help ensure residential amenity and to stop these areas becoming packed with parked cars,’ he said
‘Residents who live in the time-limited residential streets will receive in their letterbox a permit to display on their dashboard and a letter explaining how the permit will work.
‘Basically, their car or visitor’s car will be exempt from the time limit introduced and allow them to continue to park all day, as per normal,’ Mr Bennett said.
The areas affected are outlined in blue, purple and orange on the map (pictured).
Council warns that motorists parking in residential streets must check the signage and adhere to the new time limits.
‘When your time is up in the residential streets, motorists need to leave the area, otherwise you could be fined,’ Mr Bennett said.
He added that the physical resident permit is distinct from the pay parking exemptions available to all Byron shire residents and the two are not interchangeable.
‘Pay parking exemption holders, as with any vehicle that does not display the resident permit, it will need to adhere to the street time limits in the residential parking areas,’ Mr Bennett warned.
All-day parking is available along Lawson Street east of Middleton Street, the east side of Middleton Street and around the bowling club and primary school and the southern end of Jonson Street.
Lawson Street car parks north and south will also become all-day parking.
A new car park is being established at Butler Street Reserve, with all-day parking available on the grounds from 6am to 1am.
Council was quick to emphasise that the monthly Byron Bay community markets and farmers’ markets will continue at the site as per their existing licence agreements.
For more details visit Council’s website byron.nsw.gov.au or call the hotline on 1300 811 942.
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