<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A local council in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney's "><span>Sydney's</span></a><span> Eastern Suburbs has doubled down on a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/paid-parking-for-beach-visitors-randwick-city-council/49dd70da-c7a6-4b43-ad04-708ecb8e547f" rel="" target="_blank" title="proposal to add parking metres"><span>proposal to add parking metres</span></a><span> to the area's beaches, despite protests from residents.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Randwick City Council says its plan to charge visitors for parking but not locals has been met with a 54 per cent approval rate by residents, while 41 per cent opposed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another 5 per cent said they were neutral on the issue, according to the council.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/majority-of-aussies-feel-ripped-off-by-big-supermarkets-data-shows/1132dac6-bdd4-468c-b97a-a653471f8f4a" target="_blank" title="Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'"><strong><span>Majority of Aussies 'feel 'ripped off by big supermarkets'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plan, which would introduce parking metres at all 10 Randwick City Council beaches, is aimed at "easing traffic congestion and making it easier to park at the beach."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council added that locals would be granted permits to visit the beach without having to pay under the proposed changes. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, thousands of locals say they are not in favour of the proposed changes, saying parking metres would "threaten the very fabric of our community," in a Change.org petition.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/randwick-city-council-doubles-down-on-parking-metre-proposal-despite-protests/452cbea7-5a36-40de-a0c8-4272dca1f1bd" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"One of the most immediate and damaging consequences of this plan is the financial burden it will place on our community," the petition reads.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Visitors, including our beloved grandparents and low-income families, will now have to pay simply to spend time with us at our own residences and beach."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This not only limits access to one of our cherished public spaces but also marginalises those who may already be struggling to make ends meet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Every household will be restricted to just one resident parking permit, severely limiting our ability to host family and friends without incurring further parking fees."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Randwick council said that while a majority of locals supported the changes, those visiting from outside of the area were overwhelmingly opposed to the changes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Just 23 per cent supported charging visitors for parking at the beach, while 73 per cent were in opposition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another 3 per cent said they were neutral on the issue.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council said it engaged with 12,039 residents on the matter in its Council resident survey.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The original proposition said each local family would receive one parking pass to exempt them from parking fees.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the council says it will "revisit the proposed free permit model" after concern from the community that one pass per family wouldn't suffice.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Having now completed an initial check of responses, council staff will individually review each and every response, including all open text answers and correspondence for checking and to inform the final proposal," the council website reads.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The results of the consultation are expected to be presented to a Council Meeting for consideration in mid to late 2026."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Council staff will revisit the proposed free permit model with a view to recommending an increase in the number of free permits for locals reflecting the community consultation," it continues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Council will also look at additional measures to protect access for people visiting friends, families, tradespeople, carers and other groups."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Randwick council beaches include Coogee Beach, Maroubra Beach, Clovelly Beach, Malabar Beach, Little Bay Beach, Yarra Bay Beach, Frenchmans Bay, Congwong Beach, Little Congwong Beach and Gordons Bay.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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