MEDIA RELEASE
12 December 2003

Council Steps Up Parking Enforcement Regime

Manukau City Council says drivers that ignore parking regulations, or think they will get away with it, are seriously ‘kidding themselves’.

Council’s Environmental Management Committee last night agreed to introduce a new collection and fine tracking regime as well as increasing the number of parking wardens by four.

Chairman Noel Burnside says Council can no longer afford the ‘stagnant’ collection of fines and is bringing Council’s processes into the 21st century.

“We will have more parking officers on the streets, more staff allocated to the processing of infringement notices and new parking management software. All in all I’d say people should be very careful when deciding to break parking laws because the days of getting away with it are GONE,” said Councillor Burnside.

Councillor Burnside says the cost of these measures will be considerably offset by Council’s ability to bring in extra revenue.

“We will be investing about $900k for an annual return from enforcement revenue of around $1.4m. The system will more than pay for itself”.

The parking management software will also be able to identify prolific parking offenders who will be placed on a ‘hot list’ – an effective tool for debt collection.

In addition to enforcement Council will also be looking at an overall policy in respect of parking enforcement to provide a clear understanding and direction for all.

“You’ve got to supply a carrot along with the stick. It will be important to understand the social implications surrounding this issue to then identify some educative measures as well. Council also has a strong desire to identify future directions that fit within the City’s strategic vision – Tomorrow’s Manukau/Manukau Apopo.

ENDS

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