Coin payments at parking meters across central Geelong are being phased out from Monday 9 March as part of a shift to digital-only transactions.
The move to a more sustainable and efficient system will see only payments by debit or credit card, digital wallet or EasyPark app accepted and no paper receipts produced.
More than 95 per cent of drivers to central Geelong will be unaffected by the move and will notice no change to how they pay for parking, as they are already using digital methods. A smartphone isn't required for digital payments.
Coin payments have dropped to under 5 per cent after seven years of steady decline. Increasing costs of more than $275,000 per year to ratepayers to collect money from meters are also behind the switch.
The change will enable better use of these funds and also eliminate significant operating costs in both parts and labour to repair printer and mechanical faults.
More than 900 people engaged with the City about the plan during consultation between 24 September and 15 October 2025, with around 500 survey responses received.
Requests from the community for educational resources support our planned roll out of information sheets and stickers on meters linking to a parking meter guide.
We're also producing information sheets in other languages and website information on where to buy a pre-paid Visa/Mastercards as a result of consultation.
If you need help with a meter, it won't accept your debit or credit card or is displaying a fault, you can request urgent machine service by texting 0447 400 500 or phoning our Customer Service team on 03 5272 5272. Issues with the EasyPark app can be directed to 1300 734 070.
Councillor Andrew Katos
There are more than two million parking transactions annually in central Geelong and like other Victorian municipalities, we've seen a shift towards drivers preferring to pay via credit or debit card, digital wallet or EasyPark app.In fact, coin payments have dropped locally to less than 5 per cent, so it's a logical and fiscally responsible next step to switch to digital.
The more than 95 per cent of drivers who already pay digitally in central Geelong will notice no change.
Going 100 per cent digital will make machines more reliable, cut costs for ratepayers and give EasyPark users more control by letting them extend or dial back their stay and avoid paying for time they don't use.
Anthony Basford, Executive Director City Life
We thank shoppers, workers, traders and other community members who gave feedback on the plan.The community insights have been valuable in understanding why a small number of people still choose to pay with coins and how we can support them to move to digital payments.
The City team has reviewed the feedback and found opportunities to make the initiative easier to use.
Drivers don't need to have a smartphone to pay digitally and can speak with our friendly Customer Service team if they have questions.
