The council has proposed to place a 240-minute time restriction on 60 previously unrestricted parks in Harbour Tce.
The change would increase turnover for parking in the area so spaces were available for visitors and students trying to access sports facilities.
However, students flatting in Harbour Tce felt they had been left out of the council’s plans.
Archaeology student Dana Wister said the parks were either used by residents, Otago Polytechnic staff or sports facility users.
The council was only considering the sports facility users in its proposal.
"It will be really good for schools and families coming in to watch their kids play but it’s just kind of screwing over everybody that lives here."
Her flat was in a complex that accommodated 13 residents.
Only four parks were allotted to them which meant many relied on the on-street parks.
She felt the council would not listen to the student concerns.
"If all of the university students on the street said ‘pretty please let us keep having our free parking’, I don’t actually feel like it would make that much of a difference.
"We’re just university students and Dunedin is not well known for taking huge care of the university students."
Resident Finlay Tomkins said students would not be able to afford fines for overstaying in carparks if they forgot to move their cars.
"It’s a pain in the arse if I’m honest."
It would be better if the time restrictions were put in place just for weekends when sports events were on, or if residents could have special permission for parking spots.
A council spokesman said it received numerous requests from members of the public, including sports groups, to reassess parking arrangements in the area.
It would support people using the hockey turfs, cricket ovals, tennis courts, football and rugby pitches, and the nearby Caledonian athletics ground.
The changes would not remove any spaces and only introduce time restrictions.
"We welcome submissions from anyone who would like to share their view, including students and any other residents in the area, before a final decision is made."
