Motorists will pay more for parking in central Oamaru from February 1 next year as the Waitaki District Council builds up a fund with which to replace its ageing parking and display machines.
Yesterday, the council decided to continue to use the old machines and replace them as they failed, rather than putting in new machines throughout central Oamaru.
Along with that, it was proposed parking fees increase from July 1, but councillors yesterday decided to bring that forward to February 1, which will still allow time for the computer chips in the 10-year-old machines to be reprogrammed.
The charges will increase from 60c an hour to $1 for on-street parking ($1.50 if new machines were installed), 40c to 80c for off-street parking ($1.20) and $2 to $4 for all-day parking ($4). Charges for long-term parking permits would also riseSome councillors also believed there should be more enforcement to catch people parking without paying or longer than they should.
Cr Hugh Perkins said the low level of enforcement did not encourage motorists to comply.
"People say they have not put money in [the machines] and just pay the odd fine," he said.
At present, an enforcement officer patrols 20 hours a week during peak periods. The council has asked staff to investigate and report back on increasing enforcement.
Income from increased fees will allow an additional $50,000 a year to go into a fund with which to replace the machines as needed.
