We're introducing one hour of free parking along Victoria Street, Bridge Road and Swan Street to support our local businesses.
Yarra’s local businesses are more than just shops, they are employers, sponsors and the backbone of our community. They work hard to provide us with our essential goods and services every day.
We are backing our businesses and making it easier for you to do the same. By introducing the one-hour free parking trial, we will see more people visiting these shopping precincts. Residents will be reminded of the wonderful businesses we have on our doorstep and continue to shop locally into the future.
The free parking trial will be available seven days a week and 24 hours a day. To access the one hour of free parking, drivers must activate a session on the PayStay app or at the parking meters. Instructions will be clearly provided to customers leading up to the trial date.
We will keep the community up to date on this trial over the coming weeks.
How to park
Meter
1. Enter your registration plate number
2. Choose time you want to park
3. Pay with debit/credit card for any time exceeding one hour
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
1. Download PayStay app
2. Create and account or log in
You will need to provide your name, mobile number, email, registration number, and payment details.
3. 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.
4. 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.)
More infomation on the PayStay App
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see answers to commonly asked questions about the trial below.
The free hour of parking applies to Swan Street, Bridge Road, and Victoria Street in Richmond where it indicates paid parking.
You'll find all the areas on Swan Street, Bridge Road, and Victoria Street eligible for the free hour of parking marked on the map above.
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.
The pilot program addresses the ongoing challenge of attracting visitors and boosting economic growth for businesses on Victoria Street and Bridge Road. We are offering a free parking trial across all three key Richmond streets to see if this initiative can drive economic growth.
Data collected will inform our recommendations to Councillors on future decisions.
At this stage, the one hour free parking pilot is limited to Swan Street, Bridge Road, and Victoria Street in Richmond.
Our primary focus is to evaluate the success and impact of this initiative in the designated trial areas.
One hour balances convenience for shoppers, while ensuring regular turnover of spaces.
The pilot program is set for 12 months. We will be closely monitoring key data, such as parking occupancy, local business activity, and community feedback, to help us make a decision on a possible extension of the trial.
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 Swan 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.