local - 2026-05-24

Manly Residents Frustrated as Council Rejects Return of Physical Parking Permits

A 7-7 tied vote leaves the controversial digital parking system in place, sparking outcry over administrative burdens for locals.

The push to reinstate physical multi-use parking permits in Manly has been narrowly defeated following a contentious vote by the Northern Beaches Council. The decision leaves the recently implemented digital permit system in place, much to the dismay of residents who argue the new process is cumbersome and unworkable.

The push to reinstate physical multi-use parking permits in Manly has been narrowly defeated following a contentious vote by the Northern Beaches Council. The decision leaves the recently implemented digital permit system in place, much to the dismay of residents who argue the new process is cumbersome and unworkable. The digital system, which replaced traditional physical stickers with an online portal linked to vehicle registrations, has been a source of ongoing frustration, particularly for households managing multiple cars or frequent visitors. A System Under Fire Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham spearheaded the motion to bring back the physical permits, highlighting the significant administrative burden the digital system places on residents. Under the new rules, the multi-use permit requires users to log online and register a visiting vehicle every single time it is used. "Any household who wishes to use the multi-use permit... must go to the council website, find the relevant page, enter their address, the date, registration of the visiting vehicle, say what hours you're expected to use it, then press activate every single time that permit is used," Cr Bingham explained during...