Sydney beaches: Randwick City Council floats proposal to charge people going to the beach

In a move that will likely be eyed by other councils with beaches across Australia, one local government is preparing to charge Aussies to visit the beach.

Following in the footsteps of Waverley Council, which looks after Bondi Beach, Randwick City Council in Sydney’s east has floated a plan to make people pay.

Citing an analysis of “mobile phone people movement data” from 2023-25, Randwick City Council claim that up to 85 per cent of visitors to their beaches, which include Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Malabar, Little Bay and Frenchmans Bay, are not from the local area.

The council says it spends $23 million a year supporting the beaches, spending ratepayers money on lifeguards, stormwater management, rangers and parking patrols, events, walkway improvements, emergency works, beach cleaning, waste and support for surf clubs.

The way the council plans to make Aussies from outside the local government area pay to access the beaches revolves around a dreaded and often painful activity: parking.

Locals would be able to access a permit, presumably only on application, to gain “free parking” at the beaches. The proposal does not detail if hourly parking limits for locals would still be enforced. “Eligible households” would be issued one permit on application, with the council exploring if additional parking permits could be purchased.

For everyone else visiting the coastal areas to enjoy the beaches and spend money at local cafes and shops, paid parking would be enforced by rangers and parking patrol officers.

“Council research shows that on hot summer days visitors can make up to 84 per cent of beach users at certain beaches,” a Randwick City Council proposal reads.

It follows a similar move from Waverley Council in Sydney, which enforces paid parking but offers parking permits for locals, at a cost, that are valid in specific areas near some beaches.

Which beaches would be impacted?

Randwick City Council says it is proposing the paid visitor parking at: Clovelly, Coogee, La Perouse, Little Bay, Malabar, Maroubra and Yarra Bay.

As the proposal only targets drivers, visitors who get to the beach by public transport, ride-share services, or by getting a lift from a family member or friend, would be spared from having to pay to visit the beach.

“We are hearing from locals that increasing visitor numbers mean it is often difficult to find a car park, particularly during peak periods,” the proposal reads.

With the funds raised through the new paid beach parking access, the council says it will improve beach services, coastal infrastructure and sustainable transport options by constructing cycle-ways.

Those living in the local government area have until 5pm on Wednesday, April 15 to submit feedback via a residential survey.

If the proposal proves successful, other local governments across Australia could take inspiration for their own beach-side areas.