At Wednesday’s meeting, councillors signed off on parking changes in Forbury Rd, the Esplanade and Second Beach Rd.
In general, all-day parking spaces in the area will become either two-hour or four-hour time-restricted spaces along with several five-minute spots and two variable spaces.
The carparks are proposed to remain free.
"Four hours is usually long enough for most people for a visit to the beach."
At a hearing in June, the surfing community said they were worried the changes would affect their ability to surf for an extended period.
Cr O’Malley, who chaired the parking change hearing, said surfers were able to use the parks before and after restrictions applied.
Council staff proposed most restrictions apply seven days a week, from 8am-6pm.
Five-minute parks, authorised vehicles only and mobility parks were also added to St Clair and were proposed as "at all times".
"We also talked to the surfing community about events, and it was made clear and agreed that we would be able to arrange special arrangements for parking during surfing events," Cr O’Malley said.
Of 177 submissions on the proposed changes in St Clair, 83 (47%) were in support and 94 (53%) opposed.
Hearing panel member Cr Mandy Mayhem said many submitters opposed to changes in St Clair believed they would have to pay for parking.
"So when they realised it was just going to be a time restriction, that there wasn't going to be any metering or fines, then they were a lot more open to the idea that there would be a higher turnover of carparks and that it would work out well for everybody in the long run."
Also on the hearing panel was Cr Cherry Lucas, who noted the changes had created seven parking spaces in Crawford St.
The council also approved parking changes at 23 other sites across the city, including those linked to the Bath St upgrades project where a George St bus stop would be replaced with a variable parking zone.
Mayor Jules Radich said it was a "rare" example of changes which produced a net gain in carparks.
Cr Lee Vandervis said most of the parking changes were well-reasoned.
"I think it's been a very considered set of changes and I would have difficulty actually arguing, especially from a safety point of view, with any of them here."
Installation of signs and markings were expected before the end of this month.
- Additional reporting Hugh Askerud
