MANAGEMENT at the Port of Airlie's marina, restaurant and retail precinct, have come up with a new solution to the issue of paid parking on site.

Port of Airlie general manager Andrew Forster said parking had become an issue with the advent of the Cruise Whitsunday Terminal as the overflow of guests and travellers spilt into the Boathouse carpark prior to Christmas.

Mr Forster explained the purpose of the Boathouse carpark was always to accommodate marina berth owners and tenants and retail tenants and their clients.

He said once Council had implemented their car parking system for the Maritime Terminal carpark, Port of Airlie was left with no option but to install a similar system in the marina carpark.

Nonetheless, after listening to feedback, this new system is something Mr Forster and his team have now had the time to tweak.

"After four weeks of listening to the locals and listening to visitors and the retailers, we've managed to come up with a system which now accommodates everyone who should be using the carpark," he said.

Now, instead of paying $4 for the first hour, which was previously redeemable after spending $20 in any of the Port of Airlie restaurants or retail outlets, the first half hour is free.

Visitors still have to obtain a ticket on arrival.

Stays of two hours incur a $4 fee, redeemable after spending $10 at any of the Port of Airlie's restaurants or retail outlets.

Stays of up to four hours cost $6, with a maximum stay of 24 hours costing $15.

These changes have already come into effect.