Sensor parking on way

Hobart meters to send alert when time is up

HOBART City Council will roll out a $800,000, 2100strong fleet of in-ground parking sensors across the city next year.

The council this year awarded the contract to Smart Parking, which will partner with Australian Parking and Revenue Control for the installation of the integrated parking system.

It will be used at Salamanca Place, Dunn Place, Condell Place and Leroy St carparks, while the voucher machines at the Domain and Regatta Ground will stay the same.

The new system features inground parking sensors that can detect the moment a vehicle arrives and immediately notify parking inspectors electronically when motorists exceed their time limits.

In the council’s annual report, which will be discussed tonight at the city’s annual general meeting, Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said it was time to replace the council’s equipment.

“The new meters are customer-friendly and will take payment by a mobile app, credit card and cash,” Alderman Hickey wrote in her Lord Mayor’s message.

“The mobile device app will allow for a reminder to be set to help avoid parking fines when the meter expires.

“Installation of the equipment is expected to commence in early 2018.”

As well as the sensors, the system will involve an 18cm Parkeon colour screen that can even allow the council to advertise and display missing person notices or law enforcement messages.

The rollout of the sensors follows extensive testing in Hobart’s CBD.

Introduction of the sensors interstate over recent years has led to increases in parking fines, but also more challenges to the legitimacy of the fines, including through the courts.

It is the second big change in how the Hobart council enforces parking with all its parking inspectors wearing body cameras to stop verbal abuse and threats made against them.