Easy Park app

EasyPark allows you to pay for car parking via your smartphone.

It uses parking ‘area codes’ to identify where you are parked. If you allow EasyPark to access your location, the ‘area code’ will automatically be entered when you start a transaction. Area codes can also be found in the app’s drop-down menu, and on stickers on parking meters.

You must use the correct ‘area code’ for the location where you are parking

When you register for EasyPark you enter your vehicle registration details.

These details are then recorded in Council’s enforcement software. When Council parking officers patrol areas where EasyPark is available they can quickly see if you have paid for parking via Easy Park.

There is a fee for using the app. EasyPark charges 10% of the total transaction amount. This fee is collected by and retained in full by Easy Park. There is no membership or subscription costs.

EasyPark has been set up so you cannot be ‘overcharged’ for parking. If you finish your parking period before the end time you have set, you will only be charged for the amount of parking from the start of your parking period to when you end your parking period.

For example, if you start your parking at 1pm and set an end time of 3.00pm but end your parking period at 2.15pm, you will only be charged from 1pm until 2.15pm.

If you don’t stop your parking period before the end time you have set, you will be charged up to the end time. Please note that if you continue to park beyond the end time you have set, you may receive a parking fine.

Your total parking fee displays when you set your end time. You can quickly verify that you will only be charged for the time period you have selected by checking the parking fee amount at the top right of the screen.

EasyPark is available for:

• Paid on-street car parking in the CBD (note centre median parking is free)
• Paid on-street car parking surrounding the Cairns Hospital
• Off-street car parks: Grafton Street, Hartley Street, Hospital Esplanade car park (opposite the hospital within the Esplanade), Southern Esplanade (Lagoon)

It cannot be used at any other car park or for on-street parking.

The Easy Park app is used by many other cities across Australia. Once you have installed the app, it can be used anywhere Easy Park is available.

Download the EasyPark app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store then follow the prompts to set up your EasyPark account.

To start a transaction, open the app and:

• If you have ‘location’ enabled – click on the car icon to confirm your location. The parking area code will automatically be entered. You can also drag the car icon to a new location.
• If you don’t have ‘location’ enabled – select the parking zone from the drop-down menu or manually enter the area code as shown on the nearest parking meter.

Next rotate the pink circle saying ‘spin to set time’ to select the end time for your parking period. The end time is clearly displayed along with the price.

When you have set your end time, tap the pink circle saying ‘start parking’ to start your parking period. You will receive a confirmation message on your screen.

When you finish your parking period tap the pink circle saying ‘stop parking’ to end your parking period. You will receive a confirmation message on your screen.

You will also receive a parking summary screen including the amount paid. You can choose to have the receipt sent to you via email.

In the very unlikely event that you receive a parking fine while using the Easy Park app you can use your receipt as proof you have paid for parking.

You can only purchase one parking session at a time.

Parking sessions start from the moment you tap ‘start parking’ (see How do I use EasyPark). You cannot set a starting time in advance. For instance you cannot open the app at 7am and select a start time of 8.30am, when paid parking hours commence.

Please be aware that using the EasyPark app does not guarantee a car parking space. It is recommended that you only start a parking session when you arrive at your parking location.

If you choose to pay in advance (for instance from home in the morning) you accept the risk that a car parking space may not be available when you arrive. Council and/or EasyPark will not provide a refund if you pay in advance and cannot find a car parking space.

For all Easy Park faults or issues please contact Easy Park directly on 1300 73 40 70.

You can also find instructions and FAQs using the ‘Help’ function in the app. Click on ‘more’ at the bottom right of the home screen, then select ‘Help’.

Simple instructions are also provided on the ticket machines.

If Easy Park is not working, for any reason, please purchase parking as normal via the ticket machines.

It is best practice to end your current parking session before moving your car, and starting a new parking session at the new location.

Be aware if you move your car during an EasyPark session:

• The parking time limit applies to your original location – if you move from a 1 hour area to a 2 hour location, for example, you won’t be able to extend your parking end time beyond 1 hour.
• Discounted parking can not be used in regular parking bays -  if you start parking in an off-street car park, or any area that has a capped fee, and move to another location, you must start a new session. Drivers who don’t start a new session can be fined.