You’ll soon have to pay to park your car at Griffith Regional Airport. Photo: Griffith City Council.
Griffith residents could soon be paying $12 per day or $65 per week to park their car at the airport, if councillors approve a fee schedule recommended by council staff at the first council meeting for 2026.
While parking is currently free and unlimited at the airport, Griffith Council voted in favour of introducing a ticketless paid system in August last year. This new system will come into effect before June 2026.
How much will you have to pay?
Griffith Council director of sustainable development Joe Rizzo has recommended the following fee structure apply:
Less than 60 minutes – Free
Hour – $2.50
Day (24 hours) – $12
Week – $65
Councillors will vote whether to accept, change or reject this recommendation on Tuesday (27 January).
Drivers won’t need to collect a ticket when entering the airport, because council is installing licence plate recognition camera technology that will be able to calculate how long each vehicle stays in the parking lot. The system cost $288,216 to put in place and has an ongoing cost of $19,735 every year.
Airport users will have 20 minutes to exit the carpark after paying at the automated pay station located within the airport terminal. You must pay with a card, not cash.
Justification for paid parking
“The risk in not adopting the proposed recommendation of parking fees being implemented at the Griffith Regional Airport is that expenses associated with the capital cost for installation of the … parking system and annual fees will exceed the revenue raised from the paid parking system,” Mr Rizzo wrote in his report for councillors to consider ahead of the meeting.
“Additionally, future upgrades at the airport, including any mandated regulatory upgrades, will be required to be sourced from council’s general fund. This will result in an ongoing financial burden on Griffith City Council’s finances.”
He noted that the recommended fee structure would mean parking in Griffith was cheaper than airports in Wagga, Albury and Dubbo.
Mayor Doug Curran outlined council’s reasons for introducing paid parking at the airport in August 2025.
“On a typical weekday morning, more than 230 vehicles are parked at the aerodrome, well above the 158 spaces formally available to the public. Cars overstaying, unmarked parking and lack of distinction between short and long-term parking have led to congestion and safety concerns,” he said.
The council has also introduced free, short stay, 15-minute parking close to the terminal to assist those dropping off and picking up flight passengers.
Community reaction
The introduction of paid parking at the airport has been met with a mixed response from residents.
A poll of 480 Region readers revealed 12 per cent support it, 28 per cent think paying is OK for long-term parking only and 60 per cent oppose it outright.
Graeme Cotton, who was a candidate in the 2024 council elections, said the introduction of fees must be matched by a higher level of service to justify the cost.
“That could mean a pop-up cafe, improved parking conditions, better lighting and shade, or even flights to Melbourne and enhanced security,” he said.
Businesswoman Sarah Armstrong was less sympathetic.
“We are already disadvantaged when a price for a return flight from Griffith is the same as if not more expensive than one to Asia or NZ,” she said.
“Slug parking fees on top of that? You could avoid if you are in town or have relatives to drop you but if you’re coming from out of town you’ve got no choice but to pay.”
