The SA Government is set to introduce parking standards reforms that will improve congestion and liveability in new housing developments, following advocacy from the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA).
The Statutes Amendment (Vehicle Parking and Urban Renewal) Bill 2025 and Vehicle Parking Scheme sets new standards – including larger minimum parking sizes – to support cars being parked in driveways and garages, rather than left on already crowded streets.
This outcome reflects strong advocacy from LGASA and City of Campbelltown, with support from councils across the state, which highlighted the pressure that growing vehicle ownership, increasing size of 4WDs and SUVs, and urban infill are placing on local neighbourhoods.
LGASA President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross, welcomed the legislation as an important win for councils and communities.
“As more homes are being built on smaller blocks, and more people are driving larger modern vehicles, we’ve seen street congestion become a real source of frustration for communities,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.
“Councils already use measures like parking time limits, residential zones or no-parking zones to free up space, but urban infill continues to present an ongoing challenge.
“This Bill provides further legislative means to manage and combat street congestion by getting more vehicles off the kerb and into driveways and garages, which will improve the liveability of our suburbs.
“It’s another great example of local government and state government working together on solutions that build stronger communities.”
Key provisions of the Bill include:
- Minimum car parking requirements for new dwellings, with one space for one-bedroom homes and at least two for dwellings with two or more bedrooms.
- Larger parking dimensions (3.5m wide x 6m long) and wider garage doors (minimum 3m) to accommodate the growing number of SUVs and dual-cab utes.
- Flexibility for developers including the option to provide open parking spaces instead of expensive built garages, helping balance housing affordability with community amenity.
- Precinct parking options in some urban renewal areas, where apartment residents can use nearby centralised facilities.
Feedback from the local government sector was pivotal in shaping the Bill, with councils consistently raising concerns about increasing congestion, safety risks and the strain on public space caused by cars parked on suburban streets.
While the reforms set stronger requirements for developers, councils will continue to play a critical role in managing and enforcing street parking regulations to ensure neighbourhoods remain safe and accessible.
The changes will take effect across most of Greater Adelaide one year after the Bill passes, before being extended to Adelaide’s key growth areas from 2028.
