Changes to city parking

Cairns Regional Council is introducing a series of updates to CBD parking arrangements from 1 July designed to improve bay availability, support local traders, and help maintain the city’s parking infrastructure.

The hourly rate for on street CBD parking will move to $2.40 per hour. Casual rates for applicable off street car parks will also increase to $2.40 an hour, capped at $6 for all day parking, with the exception of the Grafton Street car park, capped at $6.50 for all day parking.

There will be no change to rates at Lake Street car park – $1.50 per hour, capped at $10 for all day parking.

Centre median parking remains free, but all three-hour time limit centre parking has been changed to two-hour time limit and will apply from 8.30am to 6pm weekdays, and 8.30am to 2pm on Saturdays. Outside those hours, there are no time limits.

The changes represent the first significant adjustment to parking fees since 2024 and reflect the rising costs of maintaining the city’s parking network.

The updates are designed to support better parking availability, turnover of street parking and encourage use of all-day parking facilities.

Parking fees remain in line with comparable councils and private operators.

Revenue generated through parking is reinvested into maintaining and improving the city’s parking network, including road surfaces, lighting, safety technology, and future transport infrastructure.

The changes also include the upcoming closure of the Bunda Street carpark after the landholder elected not to renew Council’s lease agreement.

For more information, including parking locations and payment options using Pay-by-Plate or the Easy Park app, visit Council’s website.