Parking in Kingston

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Consultation has concluded

Protecting the character of our neighbourhoods while accommodating new growth is a key challenge facing local communities. How do we keep what we love, while making positive change for the future?

Council has long-campaigned to see required population growth centred around our key activity centres close to public transport, shops and services. This would allow us to protect the neighbourhood character and amenity of our quieter residential streets.

A key issue facing a growing population is parking. Councillors often hear from residents that they feel that parking levels in their neighbourhoods have increased due to lack of adequate on-site car parking required in new housing developments.

Currently multi-unit developments must provide only one car park for every 1-2 bedroom dwelling.

Council believes this is inadequate and that greater levels of on-site car parking are required. Unfortunately Victorian Planning laws state these standards cannot be increased ‘unless there is an overwhelming strategic reason’.

We need Victorian Government support – through changes to the Planning Scheme and adoption of our Planning Zones – to make this happen. No other council has achieved this increase.

Council engaged an independent traffic specialist to investigate the current levels of parking in Kingston and explore the issue.

What the study found:

Parking levels in key activity centres (where parking would be expected to be highest) were not as high as we may have expected.

And in residential areas, localised high-parking demand may be exacerbated by a number of issues – not just new developments - including:

  • Close proximity to a high-demand location including a train station, school, sporting reserve or the foreshore
  • Residents using garages for storage/gym equipment etc rather than to park their car, resulting in them using on-street parking instead
  • An over-reliance on cars – rather than walking, cycling or public transport – even on short trips around the neighbourhood.

The study also identified some potential negative outcomes for implementing higher car parking rates including housing affordability challenges, particularly for lower-income households and single-person households who do not require multiple car spaces.

The study also flagged that a number of alternative measures could achieve a similar outcome, without requiring Victorian Government approval. These included parking restrictions, residential parking permits (with new multi-unit developments not eligible) and enforcement.


Hearing from the community:

Council is keen to hear from a broad range of community members right across Kingston to find out:

  • How often you/your visitors struggle to find a car park near your home
  • Where you park cars at your property
  • What action you’d like Council to take in narrow streets where parked cars make it difficult to travel freely
  • Would you like to see Council pursue changes to the planning laws in an effort to require greater car parking on new developments or adopt other measures to address high parking levels in some areas
  • Do you park at local train stations and would you like to see more commuter parking provided

Have your say:

Share your views on parking in Kingston by:

  • Taking part in our online survey via the link below.

  • Read the Kingston Car Parking Study Issues and opportunities discussion paper prepared by the independent consultants and give your feedback. (Download from the Document Library on the right hand side of this page.)

  • Come along to our community workshop to hear more about the parking challenges facing Council, the current parking levels in Kingston, join small-groups to discuss local issues and work with others to identify solutions to manage parking in Kingston moving forward.

    Register here for the Community Workshop - Thursday 22 November, 6pm-9pm @ LF Payne Hall, Longeach RSL Chelsea

  • Make a further submission by emailing info@kingston.vic.gov.au or mailing PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194.




Protecting the character of our neighbourhoods while accommodating new growth is a key challenge facing local communities. How do we keep what we love, while making positive change for the future?

Council has long-campaigned to see required population growth centred around our key activity centres close to public transport, shops and services. This would allow us to protect the neighbourhood character and amenity of our quieter residential streets.

A key issue facing a growing population is parking. Councillors often hear from residents that they feel that parking levels in their neighbourhoods have increased due to lack of adequate on-site car parking required in new housing developments.

Currently multi-unit developments must provide only one car park for every 1-2 bedroom dwelling.

Council believes this is inadequate and that greater levels of on-site car parking are required. Unfortunately Victorian Planning laws state these standards cannot be increased ‘unless there is an overwhelming strategic reason’.

We need Victorian Government support – through changes to the Planning Scheme and adoption of our Planning Zones – to make this happen. No other council has achieved this increase.

Council engaged an independent traffic specialist to investigate the current levels of parking in Kingston and explore the issue.

What the study found:

Parking levels in key activity centres (where parking would be expected to be highest) were not as high as we may have expected.

And in residential areas, localised high-parking demand may be exacerbated by a number of issues – not just new developments - including:

  • Close proximity to a high-demand location including a train station, school, sporting reserve or the foreshore
  • Residents using garages for storage/gym equipment etc rather than to park their car, resulting in them using on-street parking instead
  • An over-reliance on cars – rather than walking, cycling or public transport – even on short trips around the neighbourhood.

The study also identified some potential negative outcomes for implementing higher car parking rates including housing affordability challenges, particularly for lower-income households and single-person households who do not require multiple car spaces.

The study also flagged that a number of alternative measures could achieve a similar outcome, without requiring Victorian Government approval. These included parking restrictions, residential parking permits (with new multi-unit developments not eligible) and enforcement.


Hearing from the community:

Council is keen to hear from a broad range of community members right across Kingston to find out:

  • How often you/your visitors struggle to find a car park near your home
  • Where you park cars at your property
  • What action you’d like Council to take in narrow streets where parked cars make it difficult to travel freely
  • Would you like to see Council pursue changes to the planning laws in an effort to require greater car parking on new developments or adopt other measures to address high parking levels in some areas
  • Do you park at local train stations and would you like to see more commuter parking provided

Have your say:

Share your views on parking in Kingston by:

  • Taking part in our online survey via the link below.

  • Read the Kingston Car Parking Study Issues and opportunities discussion paper prepared by the independent consultants and give your feedback. (Download from the Document Library on the right hand side of this page.)

  • Come along to our community workshop to hear more about the parking challenges facing Council, the current parking levels in Kingston, join small-groups to discuss local issues and work with others to identify solutions to manage parking in Kingston moving forward.

    Register here for the Community Workshop - Thursday 22 November, 6pm-9pm @ LF Payne Hall, Longeach RSL Chelsea

  • Make a further submission by emailing info@kingston.vic.gov.au or mailing PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194.




  • Consultation has concluded
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