Australia is wasting $1 billion on car parks nobody uses, report finds

Australia is haemorrhaging more than $1 billion annually due to archaic planning regulations that mandate the construction of redundant off-street car parks, according to a landmark study released today by the Grattan Institute. The findings suggest that taxpayer funds and private investment are being funnelled into ‘ghost’ infrastructure that fails to meet the actual needs of modern commuters and residents.

The report highlights a significant disconnect between local council mandates and the reality of urban mobility, noting that mandatory minimum parking requirements are driving up the cost of new apartments and commercial developments. These outdated policies essentially force the creation of unwanted concrete spaces, which in turn inflates the cost of living for Australians who may not even own a vehicle.

“When public policy mandates the construction of empty concrete rather than accessible housing, the fiscal waste is measured not just in dollars, but in the stagnation of our urban evolution.”

As the nation grapples with a burgeoning housing crisis, the Grattan Institute urges state and local governments to abandon these rigid quotas in favour of market-led solutions. Reformers argue that redirecting this capital toward residential density and improved public transport could significantly enhance the liveability of our major metropolitan centres.