Paid Parking resumes operation in the CBD

Paid parking in the Tamworth CBD will recommence in October 2025, after the old parking meters reached the end of their working life and were switched off and covered up in June.

The new meters were installed in September and will begin operating from Monday 13 October, 2025. The meters are cashless and ticketless, meaning drivers no longer need to return to their vehicle to display a ticket after paying.

Using the meters is easy: press the start button, enter your vehicle’s number plate, select how long you’d like to stay (within the maximum time period signposted), then tap to pay. Payment methods include debit or credit card, or alternatively using the EasyPark app. For those who prefer cash, prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards can be purchased from Australia Post or major supermarkets and used at the meters like a regular credit or debit card. View the step-by-step guide to using the meters below.

Alongside the introduction of the new meters, changes to some parking zones across the CBD will start rolling out from Thursday 2 October, including updated time limits and restrictions. Please see below for a full list of changes

The Tamworth Regional Parking Strategy - adopted by Councillors in February - aims to increase the availability of different types of parking to meet the needs of drivers across the region. It includes a mix of free and paid parking as well as different periods of timed parking, parking for people with a disability and long vehicle parking.

Improved turnover of on-street parking spaces along with the addition of about 200 more free off-street all-day parking spaces in the Tamworth CBD are just two of the benefits drivers can expect to see.


EasyPark app guide

Changes to CBD Parking Zones

As mentioned above, there are a number of changes being implemented to parking zones in the Tamworth CBD, here is a comprehensive list identified in Stage One:

PEEL STREET CHANGES

  • Motorcycle Parking Bays to be removed from service on Peel Street to allow for compliant accessible parking spaces. There are 10 Free All Day Motorcycle Parking Bays available in the Town Hall Carpark
  • Installation of additional loading zones, including 1/4P Parking Zones
  • Existing free 1P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday) between Bourke Street and White Street to be changed to paid 1P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and free 1P parking 8:30am to 6pm Saturday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Sunday).

KABLE AVENUE CHANGES

  • Existing free 2P parking areas between Bourke Street and Brisbane Street to be changed to free 3P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday) between Bourke Street and Brisbane Street
  • Existing paid 2P parking areas between Bourke Street and Brisbane Street to be changed to free 3P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Existing paid 4P parking areas between Brisbane Street and White Street to be changed to paid 3P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Existing paid All Day parking areas between Fitzroy Street and White Street to be changed to paid 3P parking areas (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Existing free 2P parking areas between Fitzroy Street and Roderick Street to be changed to free 3P time restrictions (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Existing free All Day parking areas between White Street and Hill Street to be changed to free 3P parking areas (at all times)
  • Two existing on street spaces near Ray Walsh House to be removed due to the kerb height. All other existing Accessible Parking Spaces to be upgraded ensuring compliance.

WHITE STREET CHANGES

  • Existing paid 2P parking area between Kable Avenue and Peel Street (north-western side) to be changed to a free 2P parking area (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Accessible Parking Spaces to upgraded ensuring compliance

FITZROY STREET CHANGES

  • Existing paid 2P parking area between Peel Street and Marius Street (fronting the Tamworth Square carpark) to be changed to a NO STOPPING AREA – POLICE VEHICLES EXCEPTED.
  • New compliant accessible parking space to be installed in front of Court House. All other existing Accessible Parking Spaces to be upgraded ensuring compliance.

BOURKE STREET CHANGES

  • Accessible Parking Spaces to be upgraded ensuring compliance

OFF STREET CARPARKS

  • Existing paid All Day parking areas; the White Street Carpark, the CWA / HANDS OF FAME Carpark and RAY WALSH HOUSE SOUTH Carpark to be changed to free All Day parking areas,
  • Existing paid 2P parking areas within the TOWNHALL Carpark to be changed to free 3P parking area (from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday)
  • Existing Council Reserved parking areas within the RAY WALSH HOUSE NORTH Carpark to be changed to free All Day parking areas for the general public.
  • New compliant accessible parking spaces to be installed within the RAY WALSH HOUSE NORTH Carpark.


Background

In 2020, and prior to the official release of Blueprint 100, we produced the Tamworth CBD Parking Strategy 2020-2030. A key action from this strategy was to "review the Tamworth CBD Parking Strategy at least every 3-4 years to ensure the strategic direction and align actions with Council's Community Strategic Plan."

To ensure the strategy meets the needs of our growing community, we have been updating the strategy based on community feedback to date, and better alignment with industry best parking practices. These updates include extending the focus area from the Tamworth CBD to cover our towns and villages, as well as the Sports and Entertainment Precinct and Bridge Street (West Tamworth).

Other factors for updating the strategy include:

  • the rising number of car ownership across the region;
  • the increasing use of electric vehicles;
  • an ageing population; and
  • various development projects planned within the region.

The responses to a community survey about parking undertaken late in 2023 was the starting point for development of the draft strategy.

A draft version of the Strategy went on public exhibition in October 2024 to give drivers and residents the opportunity to give further feedback and guide the final steps of the strategy's development.

The Tamworth Regional Parking Strategy was adopted by Councillors on Tuesday 11 February, 2025.