Unley Parking Management Implementation Plan

The UPMP establishes the primary principles for guiding parking in the City of Unley.

It outlines 13 parking management directions to help Council make consistent, well-informed decisions to ensure a fair and balanced approach for parking and all street users. 

These directions are supported by the Unley Parking Management Implementation Plan (UPMIP), which has 59 recommended actions, including 31 short-term actions that Council will progress by the 2026-27 financial year. Funding will be sought each financial year through Council’s Annual Business Plan to deliver the actions.

The UPMP was adopted by Council on 26 February 2024.

The UPMIP serves as a roadmap to guide the actions within the Unley Parking Management Plan, ultimately leading to more equitable and sustainable parking solutions within the community.

The Implementation Plan is focused on the priority actions for Council to deliver in the short term (24/25 to 26/27), and will be reviewed in 26/27.

It is a 'flexible' document that can support new parking management opportunities as they arise. 

The City of Unley is experiencing continued growth due to increases in residential and commercial development. This is leading to more demand for short, medium and long-term street parking.

Our community told us they had a desire for fairer on-street parking access and new measures that address congestion, accessibility, parking in narrow streets and blocked driveway access.

Creating new parking spaces is not always economically or environmentally viable, and can also encroach on valuable space needed for alternative transport options or community amenities.

The UPMP aims to manage increases in parking demands with greater equity and efficiency by adjusting parking controls to meet current and future needs, support a high-quality urban lifestyle, and navigate the necessary trade-offs in our busy road spaces.

Additionally, it recognises the importance of promoting active travel and creating vibrant streets for social interaction, recreation, and improved biodiversity.

The UPMP follows examples set by other South Australian and interstate councils that better serve our community's evolving parking needs. Its development involved extensive engagement with our community to ensure local needs are met.

The UPMP aims to:

• Provide a holistic and strategic framework to guide Council decision-making for the management of on-street parking, including parking permits.
• Provide a better balance of parking provisions for residents, businesses, shoppers, commuters and visitors.
• Optimise existing parking facilities to their full potential and implement new ones as needed.
•  Better manage changing parking demands over time.

View or download the Unley Parking Management Plan 2023-2033(PDF, 6MB). 

You can also view or download the  Unley Parking Management Implementation Plan(PDF, 497KB). 

A hard copy can be provided on request by contacting Council on 8372 5111 or email pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au

Yes. Following endorsement of the UPMP on 26 February 2024, Council reviewed its 2019 On-Street Parking Policy to ensure the two align.

The Policy was updated to reflect the aims, decision-making principles, management directions and associated operational directions contained in the UPMP.

The On-Street Parking Policy(PDF, 287KB) was adopted by Council on 25 March 2024.

The UPMP provides strategic guidance and sets a city-wide framework for parking management. It has limited references to specific streets. 

The UPMP highlights areas where there is greater pressure for car parking. It identifies areas to investigate and potentially implement car parking management changes, for example around schools and retail and entertainment precincts. 

The recommended actions in the UPMP may lead to future changes, such as new timed controls, improved line marking and compliance, smart parking technology and/or enhanced accessibility measures.

Detailed investigations of small areas will typically precede any implementation of on-street parking management changes, and will involve communications with impacted residents, property owners, and businesses.

The UPMP does not propose changes to specific streets.

Currently, around 75% of streets in the City of Unley have no parking restrictions. There are no changes anticipated in these streets, unless future car parking occupancy levels change or other congestion, safety or movement issues arise.

There are reasons why Council may need to change parking restrictions in the future. For example, ongoing implementation of the UPMP recommended actions or compliance with Australian Standards may require changes to current restrictions, permit zones, parking layout or other measures.

If required, these will be individually assessed to ensure a practical balance between existing conditions, future demand and the directions outlined in the UPMP.

Yes, Council used Shaping Unley to develop the UPMP. 

Shaping Unley is a comprehensive engagement process Council uses to explore complex and polarising policy issues facing our community.

Shaping Unley helped establish a positive partnership with the community in developing the UPMP by drawing on the community's on-street parking experiences and ideas respectfully and collaboratively.

Find out more about Shaping Unley.