Start Date for Pay Parking Announced

The National Capital Authority (NCA) today announced pay parking in Parkes, Barton, Acton and the Russell precinct will commence on Wednesday 1 October 2014. The hours of parking operation will be 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

NCA Chief Executive, Malcolm Snow said the 2013 Budget introduced a Pay Parking Scheme on National Land to increase the number of spaces available for visitors to National Institutions.

ëThe new parking arrangements will mean everyone will spend more time enjoying the central parts of Canberra, and less time circling car parks,í he said.

During implementation, the NCA identified a number of issues that were left unresolved by the 2013 Budget measure including a lack of funding for infrastructure upgrades essential to implementation of the Scheme.

To help cover the shortfall left by the 2013 Budget, the price for parking in Australian Government owned car parks in the Central National Area has been set at $12.00 per day and $2.50 per hour.

Five day tickets will be available for purchase from the ticket machines at a cost of $57.50. These are valid for five consecutive days from the day of purchase (excluding weekends and public holidays).

ëThe rates will allow for the necessary upgrades and maintenance of car parking infrastructure, which were left unfunded by the 2013 Budget measure,í Mr†Snow said.

ëThe fees also reflect general market prices and take into account the recent increases announced at car parks managed by the ACT Government.í

A limited number of on-street parking will also be available for up to one hour at no charge.

ëTickets purchased from parking machines will be transferable across National Land car parks in Parkes, Barton, Acton and the Russell precinct. This will allow motorists to move their vehicles during the day if required,í Mr Snow said.

ëVolunteers for the National Institutions will be provided with free parking to cover their shifts. We are currently working with the National Institutions on how this scheme will be implemented.í

Pay parking will apply to around 9000 car spaces in Parkes, Barton, Acton and the Russell precinct. It is consistent with parking arrangements at other employment centres in Canberra.

190 solar powered pay and display ticket machines have been installed in the Central National Area. Some on-street parking arrangements have been changed to one hour time limited spaces.

The car park adjacent to the National Library of Australia will be temporarily changed to three hour parking to free up space for visitors. This car park will then become short stay when pay parking commences.

All ticket machines will accept Mastercard and Visa payments. One machine in each all day car park and every machine in the short stay car parks will accept coins. The machines and car parks will be clearly sign posted with the applicable rate.

All money collected from pay parking and infringements will be directed to the Australian Government's Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Maps of the short and long stay car parking are available here.

The NCA continues to work closely with the ACT Government to ensure public transport services meet the level of demand. A handy reference of public transport options in Canberra is also available on the NCA website.

A communications campaign will commence in August advising the public of the new parking arrangements.