University of Otago administrator Zoe Cook has been parking in North Dunedin streets without any hassle for years.
Miss Cook (31) frequently used the car parks in the suburban areas of Queen, Park and Albany Sts on days she worked.
The parks were popular with workers and students as they were free and had no time restrictions.
But the hassle-free parking came to an end when she returned to her Honda Jazz last Wednesday to find a $60 parking ticket.
"I was gutted.''
Miss Cook was parked at the end of Albany St, above the stairs in George St, as she had many times without incident since 2014.
The reason for the ticket was for parking within 6m of an intersection at Queen St.
Her small car was not blocking any driveway or pedestrian right-of-way, and, "I wasn't in anyone's way''.
Where the intersection began was "difficult to judge'' and road markings were needed to make it clear.
Many streets in the area had a broken yellow lines painted on the road to inform motorists where parking was not allowed.
She wanted to warn other motorists the council was being tougher in its interpretation of the law.
Council compliance, animal and parking services team leader Peter Hanlin said it was illegal for a vehicle to be parked on or closer than 6m to an intersection.
He said it was "as outlined in the New Zealand Road Code ... for the safety and convenience of all road users''.
People were welcome to contact the council to contest parking tickets, he said.
Questions put to the council if it was being tougher on its interpretation and the reason for the absence of yellow lines were not answered last night.
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Comments
Where the intersection begins is ``difficult to judge''. Indeed that is a good question that needs to be answered "just where does an intersection begin and where does the measuring of the six metre no parking area begin from?" Anyone know? Perhaps Council compliance, animal and parking services team leader Peter Hanlin could, to stop any more confusion of this law enlighten us all. Could I also suggest that Mr Hanlin use the scenario of the intersections at Forbury Corner adjacent to and around the Waterloo Hotel Round About area. There are more intersections there than you can shake a stick and I have no doubt this area would enable Mr Hanlin or the parking officer to explain this road rule to all in entire clarity.