Batemans Bay residents and holidaymakers can leave the coin purse at home after the area's council voted to scrap paid parking in the town's CBD.
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The change was proposed by Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes and will take effect from December 23 in the Clyde Street and Perry Street carparks.
"(This will) send a very positive signal to the business community and provide a more welcoming message to visitors to Eurobodalla that we want them to come to, enjoy and share our beautiful part of the world," Cr Innes said.
A major tourism operator in Batemans Bay greeted the news with delight. Asking to remain anonymous, she said parking fines were a common cause of complaint among customers of most local businesses.
Batemans Bay was the only South Coast town with paid parking after it was introduced in 2003.
"I've spoken to a lot of business people in this community," the tourism operator said.
"One guy spoke to me and said 'I am leaving this town and closing my business because of paid parking'. 'The stories are too immense to tell you', he said."
In her notice of motion, Cr Innes explained that the purchase of the MacKay Park site and 80 new parking spaces at the Bridge Plaza site allowed the council to review its position on parking.
"Given that tourism brings over $400 million in business activity to Eurobodalla with the associated employment and social benefits, and the increasingly tough market place for retailers, I commend this change to my fellow councillors as a positive signal that will encourage greater business confidence," Cr Innes wrote.
The motion won five to four. The Local Traffic Committee will be asked to introduce a three-hour limit to the Clyde Street and Perry Street carparks.
