Parking Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about parking and road safety in Penrith.

Where to park in the Penrith City Centre

A variety of parking options are available across the Penrith City Centre. View the Penrith City Centre Parking Map page for more information.

Accessible parking locations in Penrith

Accessible parking is provided in many off-street parking locations in the Penrith City Centre. For further information on the location of accessible parking view the Penrith City Centre Parking Map page.

Council is working to build and support a City that is accessible and inclusive for everyone in our community. Visit the Accessible Penrith page to find out more about our Access Committee and Inclusion Action Plan, as well as facilities, activities and initiatives supporting people with disability in Penrith.

Does Council provide any form of parking permit for residents or visitors?

Council does not provide parking permits. A variety of parking options are available across the Penrith City Centre. View the Penrith City Centre Parking Map page for more information.

Parking Sensors

Parking sensors are being installed in many Council owned on and off-street parking areas across the Penrith City Centre. These sensors detect how parking is used including frequency and timing. This will provide valuable and reliable data to help Council better understand parking usage and supply.

In- ground parking sensors will also provide a range of benefits to residents, shoppers and visitors helping them to locate a vacant space quickly – getting people where they need to go faster and reducing traffic congestion and delays.

What is an in-ground parking sensor?

An in-ground parking sensor is a small electronic device installed under the road surface in a parking space. The sensor measures if a vehicle is in a car space to understand the demand for the space and the amount of time used.

How do the sensors work?

The sensor detects when a car parks and measures how long it stays in the space. This data is collected and collated in real-time to assist Council with understanding how the spaces are used and help with planning to meet current and future demands for parking across our city.

Where are the sensors being installed?

The in-ground parking sensors are installed at:

Are the sensors reliable?

Penrith City Council has selected an in-ground parking sensor product which is the most state of the art model. It has been shown to be very accurate in all types of environmental conditions and has been operating reliably in Australian local government areas since 2005.

What about parking infringements?

This new system is about collecting reliable information to make sure our future parking strategies meet the community’s needs in both the short and long term, as well as alleviating pressure on short-term parking across Penrith City Centre.

The time limits for short-term parking spaces in the Penrith City Centre, and the penalty for exceeding these time limits, remains unchanged with the installation of in-ground parking sensors. View more information about penalty notices.

Why has Penrith City Council chosen to install parking sensors?

• To improve parking turnover: Making it easier for drivers to find somewhere to park, especially in peak periods
• Support the local economy: More visitors will be able to park close to shops and services, and have better access to businesses and local traders.
• Reduce traffic congestion and air pollution: Less time spent looking for a parking space means less fuel wasted, fewer noxious and greenhouse gas emissions and a safer, more amenable environment for road users and pedestrians
• Optimised public parking: Parking sensors record all vehicle movements into and out of parking bays. This information allows traffic engineers to understand how Council’s on and off-street parking assets are actually used. Improved knowledge means that parking can be better designed to optimise traffic flow and access to the most desirable parking spaces.

What to do if you receive a penalty notice 

The police or authorised Council Rangers may issue penalty notices for offences under the Australian Road Rules.  
To pay a penalty notice you have received:

• Visit revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines.
• Phone 1300 130 112
• Pay in person at any Australia Post Office or Service NSW Centre.

You may also wish to request a review of the penalty notice.

Revenue NSW are the appropriate independent authority who consider all requests for review of penalty notices issued by Council. This process ensures that all appeals are considered without bias, fairly and that outcomes are consistent. 

The power to waive penalty notice fines rests exclusively with Revenue NSW and the Courts - not Council.

You can request a review if you:

• believe there is an error.
• wish to seek leniency because there were special circumstances that contributed to the offence.

To request a review you will need:

• the penalty notice number.
• the date of the offence.
• any supporting evidence.

A request to review a penalty notice may be made to Revenue NSW online at revenue.nsw.gov.au or in writing, addressed to:

Revenue NSW 
PO Box 786 
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 

Supply as much information to Revenue NSW as possible in support of your claim, including photos if available. This is important as Revenue NSW was not present at the time of the alleged offence nor are they aware of your personal circumstances. 

Revenue NSW will adjudicate on the matter and if necessary communicate with Council if additional information is required.

If you do not receive a favourable response from Revenue NSW with respect to your review, you may still be entitled to elect to have the matter heard before a magistrate at the Local Court and to this end you may wish to seek your own legal advice.

Visit the Revenue NSW website revenue.nsw.gov.au for full details on how to finalise a Penalty Notice, or call 1300 138 118.

Road rules relating to parking and stopping 

Parking rules are designed to stop vehicles from parking where it would be dangerous or inconvenient for others. Council has developed a number of guides to clarify some of the frequently asked questions about parking and road safety in Penrith.   

• View the parking and stopping rules FAQ sheet
• View the parking in the wrong direction of travel FAQ sheet
• View the parking on footpaths and nature strips in built-up areas FAQ sheet

Parking in school zones 

There are stringent parking restrictions in school zones to ensure the safety of school children. Drivers found breaking the law in school zones will be met with zero tolerance. View the School Safety Zero Tolerance FAQ sheet to learn more.

Road rules relating to heavy vehicle parking 

Heavy vehicle drivers should be aware of their requirements under the Australian Road Rules, and adhere to the rules put in place to make suburban streets safer and more amenable. View the Heavy Vehicle Regulations and Advice FAQ sheet to learn more.

For more information

• Visit the Revenue NSW website revenue.nsw.gov.au for full details on Penalty Notice fines, payment options and the review process, or call 1300 138 118.
• For information about public off-street parking in the Penrith City Centre, view the Penrith City Centre Parking Map page.
• Visit Council’s commuter car parking webpage for further information on commuter car parking in Penrith.
• To view current NSW road rules and further information, please visit the State Government Roads and Maritime Services webpage.