Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Public get chance to dob in parking cheats

Porirua City Council is giving the public the opportunity to blow the whistle on people who park in mobility spaces without a permit.

In a scheme run by CCS Disability Action, frustrated motorists can easily download a free app and report a car parked illegally in a mobility parking spot in real time.

Porirua City and Waitaki District councils have joined the scheme in the past week, joining Hutt, Wellington and Christchurch City councils as early adopters of this technology.

It will be ready to use in Porirua from 1 September.

Porirua has 29 mobility parking spaces that the Council enforce.

When parking violations are reported on the app, the location of the car park is identified on a map and a message is sent to the Council’s parking services team, who can take appropriate action. This can include an infringement notice or, in some instances, towing.

The fine for parking in a disability or mobility parking space without a permit is $150.

“We have mobility parking spaces for a reason, and these can be abused in our city,” says Monitoring and Compliance Manager Leonie McPhail.

“This technology is in real time, so we get an email immediately and can forward the information to parking officers who are out and about.”

“We want these parking spaces to be used by people who actually need them.”

Ms McPhail says the reporting technology can also serve to help Council collect data on hot spots where parking enforcement officers should be at certain times.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

People can also use the app to locate mobility parks and map any that have not yet been added.

Council is unable to issue infringement notices in private carparks. However, Countdown is soon to trial the app in Dunedin with a view to rolling it out nationwide.

You can download the free app from Google Play or the Apple store by searching for Access Aware. There is also a helpline available during work hours for questions and technical issues – 0508 227 322.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.