The City of Stirling is set to overhaul its residential parking permit system, transitioning from physical permits to digital e-permit technology. This change will be accompanied by stricter eligibility criteria and more clearly defined entitlements, following a formal review of the city's parking permit policy—the first since 2014.
Why the Change?
The review was prompted by growing parking pressure in popular activity precincts, including areas around shopping centres and beaches. The shift to digital e-permits will allow the city to use real-time validation through automated number plate recognition (ANPR) enforcement systems, which have been in use since 2022/23. This is expected to strengthen compliance efforts.
New Eligibility Rules
Under the updated policy, permits will be targeted at residents experiencing demonstrable parking pressure from nearby non-residential land uses. Currently, permits are issued in about 21 locations, including select streets in Glendalough, Stirling, Innaloo, and Mt Lawley, where two-hour parking limits apply due to high demand from nearby businesses.
The new rules are based on on-site parking availability:
- Properties with no on-site parking: eligible for up to three permits.
- Properties with one parking space: eligible for up to two permits.
- Properties with two parking spaces: eligible for one permit.
- Properties with three or more parking spaces: not entitled to any permits.
The system will also scrap the transitional permit category, removing the distinction between owner and tenant entitlements to create a simplified, single-permit structure. The city expects this to support a more equitable distribution of limited on-street parking.
Cost Savings and Efficiency
City officers estimate the new e-permit system could save about $15,000 per year and deliver administrative efficiencies over time. Currently, staff must purchase electrostatic permit materials and manually produce, distribute, and manage physical permits. The digital transition will reduce the need for printing, laminating, storage, and postage, and is expected to lower staff time required for manual preparation, processing, registration, and distribution. It will also reduce the risk of fraudulent permit use.
Implementation and Next Steps
The new policy will not undergo community consultation, but the city acknowledges the transition must be effectively managed to minimise confusion, reduced accessibility, or dissatisfaction. The proposal was discussed at the city’s Community and Resources Committee meeting on Tuesday night, and the council is expected to vote on it at its next meeting on May 5.
