No more ‘pens’ for sale on Facebook
Northern Beaches Council is digitising beach parking permits, ending the sale of ‘pens plus a permit’ on sites such as Facebook.
The digital system will link permits to vehicle registrations and council said it would simplify the renewal process and limit the misuse of permits.
Mayor Sue Heins said there were more than 250,000 permits from seven different permit schemes across the Northern Beaches that would all move to the new system.
“The move to digital permits will provide for more simple and effective management,” Mayor Heins said. “The new system will mean no more lost or damaged stickers, no more issues with sticker adhesives, no more misuse of permits and a cost saving for ratepayers.”
Council said the digital system would be staged and rolled out over 12 months, starting with the smaller permit schemes in Pittwater (Western Foreshore, Church Point, Rowland Reserve, and Illuka Reserve) in November. These areas fall under a special permit, at $60 per year, and existing physical permits will be automatically extended until 30 November.
“This is a large undertaking, and the staged approach will support a streamlined process to the new system,” Mayor Heins said.
When the first stage is up and running, council rangers will continue to carry out inspections on parked vehicles and check for a valid digital parking permit using their mobile device, in the same way they currently check for paid parking. The larger Manly and beach parking permit schemes are scheduled to transition to digital in mid-to-late 2026. Permit holders will be notified as to when they need to apply for their new permits.
The cost of implementing the new digital system over a three-year contract is $473,660. Council estimated the digital system would save at least $75,000 per year, with the saving in printing and administration costs expected to offset the contract cost.
Councillor Vincent De Luca told PL that the digital system would stop theft and fraud. “There have been reports of thefts of rate notices with the stickers from residents’ letter boxes, so at least it will increase security, stop theft and fraud,” Cr De Luca said.
Transport for NSW is currently reviewing feedback on its parking permit guidelines and whether people from areas outside the Beaches should have access to beach parking permits. Mayor Heins has previously said council does not support the move.
