Cr Bingham said that encouraging car sharing in this way would actually free up car spaces in Manly as people elect not to have their own vehicle.

Consultation will be undertaken with local precinct groups and car share companies to decide on the most suitable locations. 

Good For Manly councillor, Candy Bingham, was successful in getting to Council to undertake a feasibility study to examine the feasibility and implications for residents of adopting a car share policy providing permanent parking spaces for share cars in residential streets.

Cr Bingham said car sharing had become a popular and practical alternative to owning a car, particularly in areas like Manly where street parking is scarce. Research has shown that one shared car replaced 13 privately-owned cars once the concept became popular.

She said one Manly car sharing company currently had almost 700 members sharing 22 vehicles. The cars are located in designated pods (locations), such as Wood St and Pacific St, but do not have dedicated car spaces.

Cr Bingham said that encouraging car sharing in this way would actually free up car spaces in Manly as people elect not to have their own vehicle. She compared it to disabled parking spaces, which decrease the overall number of general car spaces available, but benefit the community as a whole.

Monday's council meeting voted to prepare a report on the feasibility and implications of the car sharing policy, using similar policies in Waverly and the City of Sydney as a guide.