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Disability parking permits – City of Darwin statement

7 May 2026

COTA NT received the below statement, attributed to City of Darwin on 29 April. We look forward to hearing from them about the free parking starting once signage upgrades are installed and the community is informed. 

In March, Council endorsed changes to parking arrangements for disability parking permit holders in the Darwin CBD. 

The endorsed changes include free parking for permit holders within various on-street parking zones, along with amendments to broader parking conditions to improve access and usability. 

Councillors discussed the importance of accessibility and inclusion, and the need to ensure the CBD continues to support residents and visitors who rely on disability parking provisions. 

City of Darwin continues to work to its Access Strategy 2025–2030, which prioritises removing barriers and improving accessibility across the municipality, ensuring Darwin evolves as a city that is inclusive by design, not by exception. 

The free parking will start once signage upgrades are installed and the community is informed. 

Disability parking permits  
 
1. On-street designated disability parking bays

  • All designated disability parking bays are free of charge.  
  • Time extensions that apply under the Australian Road Rules do not apply in designated disability parking bays.  
  • The time on the sign is the maximum time that a vehicle can remain in that bay.  
  1. Off-street designated disability parking bays 
  • Vehicles displaying a disability parking permit may park in designated disability parking bays in City of Darwin off-street car parks all day free of charge, except for West Lane Car Park and Dragonfly Car Park.  
  • Vehicles displaying a valid permit may park in an accessible parking bay in either West Lane Car Park or Dragonfly Car Park for twice the time paid for.  
  1. On-street other  
  • All designated disability parking bays are free of charge. 
  • A vehicle displaying an eligible disability parking permit may park in any Zone A and Zone B on-street parking bay, that would usually require payment, free of charge.  
  • Any extension of time that a disability permit holder is entitled to under the Australian Road Rules for Zone A and Zone B is also free of charge. 

ENDS 

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