For years, the residents of our suburb of Darlington have enjoyed the convenience of free parking spaces in Codrington Street. These spots have been a lifeline for families, visitors, local businesses, and everyone who cherishes the vibrant community atmosphere we are proud of. Recently, however, our local Sydney City Council made a drastic decision to convert these free parking spaces into paid ticket car parks, applicable 365 days a year with no Resident parking exemption. This unexpected move has not only burdened residents with unnecessary costs but has also negatively impacted local small businesses and the community as a whole.

Help us reach 100 Supporters by 21st November 2026! 

These free parking spaces are the only ones left in the Suburb, where residents, family, visitors and people using the local shops could park without restrictions. They were one of the few benefits that made living in this suburb affordable. Many of us chose to settle here for the very reason that it supported local living. The council's decision disregards the challengingly high cost of living we already face, adding additional financial strain, as well as restricting essential lifestyle experiences like having visitors to our homes without worrying about them receiving a parking ticket.

Access to free parking not only made day-to-day life manageable but ensured that our local cafes, businesses, and services could attract patrons without the added burden of parking fees. We are also concerned about the dangerous precedent of introducing ticketed parking into local suburban streets, and that this may be a slow creep into more ticket machines being introduced to our local streets and neighbouring Suburbs.

Consider this: less foot traffic due to paid parking translates to fewer sales for local businesses. A study by the Australian Local Government Association showed that for every hour of free parking, a customer is more likely to spend on local goods by 20%. This means that our local economy is suffering along with those of us paying out of pocket.

In addition, the conversion to paid parking has caused a rise in congestion. Residents, seeking to avoid parking fees, are resorting to parking in areas that were not intended to handle the extra load, such as residential streets. This leads to cluttered roads, increased difficulty finding legal parking, and can even impact safety by obstructing views for pedestrians and other drivers.

Our demand is simple: restore the free parking spaces. We call on the Sydney City Council to recognize the vital role these spaces play in maintaining a prosperous and liveable suburb. As constituents, we deserve to have a say in decisions that impact our daily lives.

Please sign this petition to show the Council that we value access to free parking and urge them to reverse their decision. Together, we can demand a solution that respects our community's needs and promotes a thriving local environment.
Help us reach 100 Supporters by 21st November 2026!