Drivers to be more time conscious; says business owner

THE Bass Coast Shire Council are due to begin the installation of the Smart Parking sensors and technology equipment to Cowes and Wonthaggi this July.
 
Smart Parking is proposed to include 375 on-street bays in Cowes, on Thompson Avenue, Chapel Street and The Esplanade, 123 off-street bays at the Cowes transit centre carpark; and 262 on-street bays in Wonthaggi, on Graham Street and McBride Avenue. 

Owner of Wrench’s Footwear in Wonthaggi, Carl Lindsay received feedback from his customers regarding the new on-street technology, questioning whether or not the system would be generating automatic fines to those over-staying their park.

A council spokesperson responded to the public concern stating that the Smart Parking infrastructure does not issue infringements. 

Smart Parking sensor technology will provide council with real-time data via a portal, which can assist with enforcement efficiency by immediately informing a by-law officer that a person has overstayed their park. 

According to the Bass Coast Shire, the new technology is being installed in the asphalt of each on-street parking bay and will provide data insights to make parking more efficient and to help identify service improvements in Cowes and Wonthaggi.

 However, law officers will still be monitoring parking over-stays and issuing infringements in person.

“I was initially concerned for the elderly having enough time and automatically receiving a fine; however, knowing that the system doesn’t automatically issue the fines is reassuring and all in all customers shouldn’t be exceeding their hour anyway,” said Carl.

“If everyone is doing the right thing the new system will run smoothly, I believe it will make the public more conscious of their time so there is space for other people.” 

A council spokesperson added that parking will remain free and infringement notices will not be issued to drivers who adhere to parking time limits. 

The next step of the project is the Smart Parking guidance mobile app for Cowes and Wonthaggi, which is due to go live in August.