Australians are excited about a new fee that has been introduced at some of the country's most popular beaches.
Just in time for summer, a Melbourne council is testing paid parking at Flinders Pier, Schnapper Point and Sunnyside Beach on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.
Australian families, already struggling with the cost of living crisis and expensive holidays, will have to pay $6.20 an hour.
Sunnyside and Flinders have all-day parking, with no time limits.
For those wanting to visit Schnapper Point, beachgoers have the additional choice of two-hour and four-hour parking.
Three beaches on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula are among the most popular in the country
Beachgoers now face parking fees of $6.20 per hour, or $19.50 per day
Visitors to all three areas will be subject to a new parking fee of up to $19.50 per day.
Understandably, people visiting the beach were unimpressed by anyone expressing their frustration 7 News.
'It's a beach. Why should we have to pay for it?' they said.
Another said: 'We're not staying here. We travel further where we don't have to pay.'
Others said they were happy to pay, as long as the proceeds went directly to maintaining the beaches and foreshore area.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Mayor Simon Brooks defended the unpopular move.
The process will last nine months, but could be extended further
“It was a response to some challenges. Like growing visitor numbers as we have 7.5 million visitors here every year,” he said.
“It costs us about $8 million a year to maintain our foreshores.”
The city has installed new cameras costing $165,000 to catch beachgoers who skip payment or go over the new four-hour limit.
Beachgoers will have to undergo the nine-month trial period, but it could be extended.
Local residents are exempt from the new rates, but must apply for a free ePermit morgenpen.vic.gov.au/epermits