A proposal to increase the size of parking bays across Australia could accommodate the trend of larger vehicles on Australian roads.  

The revision to standard AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking Facilities - Part 1: Off-street car parking, recommends an increase in the length of off-street car parking spaces from 5.4 m to 5.6 m.

Standards Australia General Manager, Engagement and Communications, Adam Stingemore, explains: “The last revision to the standard happened 18 years ago. The experts that we work with to put that in place looked at the average car that we drove back in 2004. We have changed our national fleet significantly over the last quarter. Back in 2004 when we last reviewed the standard, about 13% of our national vehicle fleet was an SUV. It’s now about 40%. As our cars have changed, we also need to consider our car parks.”

State and local authorities may have their own requirements in town and area planning regulations and Development Control Plans. However, courts normally consider Australian Standards as prevailing documents.

The proposed changes to the standard AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking Facilities - Part 1: Off-street car parking are open for public comment until November 9, 2023, at https://comment.standards.org.au/

The revised standard is expected to be finalised in approximately six months.