Streets surrounding the parliamentary triangle are slated for new parking restrictions as the ACT government and the National Capital Authority brace themselves for the introduction of paid parking on July 1.
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Yarralumla is hardest hit by proposed two-hour parking limits across the inner south, with seven streets earmarked for possible restrictions.
The completed changes are expected to be implemented in mid-June before parliamentary zone workers are forced to cough up $11 a day to park.
The two-hour parking limits will apply from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm.
Yarralumla streets expected to be affected are near the embassies and include Forster Crescent, Darwin Avenue, Perth Avenue, Moonah Place, Wonna Street, Turrana Street and Mariner Place.
Two-hour parking restrictions are also proposed for Canterbury Crescent and Daly Street in Deakin, Fitzroy Street in Forrest, Currie Crescent in Kingston, Empire Circuit and National Circuit.
Parking will be barred from Northcott Drive in Campbell, Parkes Way and Morshead Drive on the northside and Alexandrina Drive in Yarralumla and Hopetoun Circuit in the south if the changes go ahead.
A Territory and Municipal Services spokeswoman said community consultation with residents and organisations was underway and letters outlining the proposed parking measures would be delivered to homes this week.
The government considered which streets were most at risk and consulted with residential associations to develop the proposed list, she said.
Yarralumla Residents Association president Marea Fatseas said the parking restrictions proposed in Yarralumla, based mainly around embassies in the suburb, sounded sensible if enforced.
Earlier this year Inner South Canberra Community Council, which represents the association, called on the ACT government to increase parking patrols in suburbs surrounding the triangle with fears public servants would be tempted to park their cars and walk the rest of the way to work to save money once paid parking was introduced.
Kingston Barton Residents Association parking representative Ian Morison said streets in the area had already been treated as cheap parking spots for close to four years.
“The fact TAMS is extending or talking with residents about extending controls further only adds to the argument [the government] needs more resources to do proper enforcement,” he said.
“We see the introduction of paid parking as an opportunity for the government, both Commonwealth and ACT, to get on top of what is a really serious problem.”
The ACT government is currently considering whether extra parking officers will be required in Canberra.
If additional officers are needed they will be recruited and trained next month.
ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell said Parking Operations would undertake focused patrols in identified areas surrounding national land to detect and deter illegal parking.
“These patrols will be necessary to ensure that residents and commercial activity are not unduly impacted upon by motorists who seek to park in time limited zones surrounding national land,” he said.
