As many as 12 cars in Haines Street, Curtin, and other nearby streets were deliberately scratched on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving owners with big bills for repairs.

The vandalism follows recent calls by local residents for increased parking restrictions in the area, which is popular with Health Department employees who park and walk to nearby offices.

In the latest apparent ''keying'' incident, each individual panel along one side of as many as eight vehicles was scratched.

An ACT Policing spokesman said owners had reported the damage and a patrol unit had visited the area.

Resident Ben Fairman said dozens of drivers parked in the street, making it difficult to reach driveways or to find on-street parking.

''It makes it really hard for me to get my car in and out with a trailer because they are here every day,'' he said.

''The public servants park all the way around the street and it can be pretty frustrating for people who live in the houses and want to turn around or park during the day.''

Mr Fairman said he sometimes was forced to park on the nature strip because of the congestion.

Another resident who asked not to be named said ACT government officials had visited the street after complaints of blocked driveways and difficult access conditions.

''The worksite further up the street has made it even worse, and all we really want is to be able to come and go during the day without having to navigate a car park outside our homes,'' the resident said.

''They said there was nothing they could do, but some of the streets further into Curtin have two-hour restrictions and that would be a good option for here.''

Similar street parking situations exist around the ACT, with residents in Dominion Circuit, Forrest, also calling for the introduction of two-hour restrictions.

The moves come as the federal government seeks to introduce 9000 paid parking places around the parliamentary triangle.

The plan would contribute $74 million into federal government consolidated revenue, an aspect opposed by ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher.

Liberal senator Gary Humphries, who also opposes the plan, predicted that parking rage could escalate.

''With the introduction of paid parking, we'll no doubt see more of this,'' he said.

''People will be looking to park further and further away from the parking meters and ultimately wind up parking in backstreets all across the inner suburbs.

''Will the response be putting parking meters in every single street in Canberra?''