Visitors to South Perth hotspots including the Perth Zoo and foreshore could soon be hit with parking fees for the first time.

Free parking at the two big carparks off Coode Street used by people to visit parkland on the foreshore, and a stretch of Melville Parade used by some zoo patrons, is being targeted in a bid by the City of South Perth to attract more commuters and raise $400,000 in revenue.

Food trucks can be found on the foreshore from Wednesday to Sunday in the months between November and March and one vendor says the change might mean punters won’t want to come down as much if they had to pay for parking.

Meast owner Sandra Bahbah said she thought many of the food trucks which traded in South Perth would be concerned about any changes.

“If they take that away what’s the point?” she said. “It’s going to make people not want to go there as much. They’ll pay but might be resentful and not come every day.”

The council wants to bring uniformity to its parking scheme across the peninsula at 12 parking sites in a move it hopes will raise an extra $400,000 a year.

The City’s last budget projected revenue of $3.2 million from parking management for the 2018-19 financial year.

Other current free spots that would be changed to paid parking include the Millers Pool carpark on the northern tip of the peninsula, Mill Point boat ramp carpark, and bays on Ray Street and Darley Street near the shopping centre.

In most spots the council wants to have Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm, $2.50-an-hour parking and introduce $6 or $8 all-day parking in a bid to attract more commuters.

The City hopes dropping the rate from $2.60 an hour to $2.50 and introducing the $8 all-day parking to the Richardson Reserve carpark across the road from Perth Zoo will encourage more visitors.

A yearly parking permit has been floated as an idea for some sporting clubs that use the reserve and for zoo staff parking on Onslow Street and Angelo Street.

Perth Zoo executive director Wendy Attenborough said it would work closely with the City to ensure parking was available nearby for visitors and staff.

“We also encourage the use of public transport, where possible, with bus stops located right outside the zoo and the ferry stop a short walk along Mends Street,” she said.

City of South Perth deputy mayor Glenn Cridland said the aim of the changes was to address future parking demand in the area.

He said introducing ticketed parking at the foreshore carparks would not effect evening business.

“The carpark is currently being used by commuters as well as casual users,” Cr Cridland said. “Ticket parking is being introduced to ensure better management of this carpark for visitors to the Boatshed and other local businesses.

“The City will continue to provide an overflow carpark within Sir James Mitchell Park to assist the surf cat operator during peak weekend periods in summer.”

Councillors will vote on changes to the parking scheme on Tuesday.