One hour free parking trial
Yarra's one-hour free parking trial will continue on Bridge Road and Victoria Street and will cease on Swan Street from 29 October.
Council moved to continue one-hour free parking trials on Victoria Street and Bridge Road until 30 June 2027 to continue supporting local business.
Council will also introduce a new 30-minute free parking trial on Brunswick Street from 29 October until 30 June 2027 to support local businesses.
Mayor of Yarra Councillor Stephen Jolly said the trial was aimed at driving visitors to Yarra's various retail precincts.
“We decided to focus on Richmond first for this trial, especially Victoria Street – because it's the area that needs the most support,” he said.
“It's about driving visitors to the areas of greatest need. Now that we know it has had some positive impacts, we're going to extend the trial to Brunswick Street for the next few months to support businesses in this area.
“These trials are designed to improve access, encourage visitors and help keep our activity centres vibrant and thriving.”
How to park
Meter
- Enter your registration plate number.
- Choose time you want to park.
- Pay with debit/credit card for any time exceeding one hour (For Bridge Road and Victoria Street) and 30 minutes for Brunswick Street.
You can pay per 15 minutes on the parking meter
You must top up at the meter to extend your stay (within the permitted time restriction)
PayStay App
- Download PayStay app
- Create and account or log in
You will need to provide your name, mobile number, email, registration number, and payment details. - Locate the parking zone and start your session
In the app, make sure you select the correct vehicle registration number, input the zone number (displayed on nearby signage) and tap "start" to begin your session. The app will track your parking duration. - Extend or stop as needed
If you need more time, you can extend your session through the app. When you are ready to leave tap “stop” to end the session and ensure you're only charged for the time used. (Usual time restriction apply.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see answers to commonly asked questions about the trial below.
The free hour of parking applies to Bridge Road and Victoria Street in Richmond where it indicates paid parking.
30 minutes of free parking applies to Brunswick Street.
You must start a session via the meter or PayStay app to receive your free hour. This is so our parking officers know how long you have parked in the spot and know you are legally parked so you are not fined.
Yes. Even if you're staying less than an hour, failure to start a session may result in a parking fine.
It is limited to once per vehicle per day, per street, across all trial areas. This resets at midnight.
No. The one hour free is per vehicle per street per day. Moving your vehicle within a street does not reset the allowance.
Standard parking fees apply after the first free hour and drivers must obey time restrictions.
You may receive a fine. Always start a session to qualify for the free hour.
No. You will only be charged if you choose to park longer than 60 minutes.
Yes. You must still follow any time limit as indicated on the street signage.
Anyone who has an Australian Accessibility (Disability) Permit is exempt from paid parking so you do not need to start a session. You do however, need to be aware of the time restrictions. Permit holders will receive double time, for example 2P (two hour parking) means they are entitled to four hour parking.
Yes. You will be able to use the free one hour parking once per day on each street.
Yes. Signage and instructions on meters and in the app will clearly explain how to start a session and receive the free hour.
If you started a free session but entered an incorrect registration and received an infringement, you may request an internal review.
To do so, please visit:
City of Yarra – How to Appeal a Parking Fine
When submitting your request, be sure to include the details that were entered at the time.
If you started a free session but still received an infringement, you may request an internal review.
To do so, please visit:
City of Yarra – How to Appeal a Parking Fine
Parking permits have set conditions and are not able to be used in paid parking areas. Please refer to your parking permit for a list of conditions.
The one hour free parking will only be applied to the paid parking areas within these streets. Time restrictions still must be followed when parking on these streets.
It is important to note that side streets are not included in this trial, only Victoria Street, Bridge Road and Brunswick Street.
The maximum time limit will be indicated on the parking sign. For example, if the sign indicates 2P, then you will be able to activate a session for two hours, with the first hour being free, meaning you will only pay for one hour.
The free one hour parking does not apply to:
15 minute zones (these are already free)
Loading Zones
No Standing Zones
Other red parking restriction signage such as taxi zones, car share bays or other authorised vehicles only.
Yes. If you do not have a smartphone or the PayStay App, you can still use the parking meters to activate your parking session for one-hour free parking.
Yes. All our QR codes link to our website which has accessibility options. Our website allows visitors to select their appropriate language in the top righthand corner.