Northern Beaches Council will move all Beach Parking Permits to a digital system from this week, replacing physical stickers with an online portal called vPermit.
The stickers, which until now have been applied to the windscreen of one’s vehicle, allow free parking across most beach and park areas in the Local Government Area.
The move, first reported by Manly Observer in August last year as part of a broader plans to move all types of parking permits online, is meant to put an end to the local ‘pen black market’.
The pen black market is a well known community among Facebook Marketplace shoppers. Each rate payer is given two beach parking permit stickers each year, but not everyone needs them. Since selling-on permits is not technically allowed, many post a photo of it with a pen and imply that it is the pen that is for sale.
Existing physical stickers remain valid until 31 August. The new system opens from this week (1 July). Owners of existing 208,000 permits have until the end of August to transition.
How will it work?
Residents will use vPermit to apply for, manage and renew their permits, with permits linked to vehicle registration details for electronic verification.
Council says the system automatically verifies applicant details and approves eligible permits immediately. But there is a bit of a process to get that point – registering an account with an email, confirming it, having a rates notice still on hand to quote the reference number on it, uploading a copy of a drivers licence or other proof of address and among other hoops. (Editor’s note: having not kept a physical copy of the paid rates notice this writer was unable to complete the transaction and surrendered the process for another day.)
Ratepayers able to access their two free permits will only need to apply once and not need to reapply for three years, unless their circumstances change. Vehicle details can be updated online if a permit holder changes vehicles, or if a vehicle is stolen or written off.
Mayor Sue Heins claimed the shift online would improve efficiency.
“Moving the system online will improve efficiency, save ratepayers money, minimise misuse and reduce plastic waste,” Mayor Heins said.
The policy framework governing the scheme is unchanged:
- Each rateable property is eligible for two Beach Parking Permits free of charge each year. Ratepayers who live at their property can purchase two additional permits.
- Residents who are not ratepayers can purchase up to two Beach Parking Permits per property (they are currently priced at $250).
- Where a ratepayer is a landlord, at least one permit is expected to go to their tenant. Tenants are encouraged to request it in their rental agreement.
Instructions and FAQs are available on the Council website. Face to face support will also be available at Dee Why’s Customer Service Centre (Council building), which will open extra hours on Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, throughout July.
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