Netball watchers nabbed

Infringements issues around New Town centre

POLICE have clamped down on illegal backstreet parking near one of Hobart’s busiest sports centres, while also warning weekend spectators a blitz-of-sorts was under way.

A public address warning was given to hundreds of spectators at the Hobart Netball and Sports Centre on Saturday while police were observed in nearby backstreets targeting cars parked illegally — but not necessarily dangerously.

Southern Tasmanian Net- ball Association general manager Phillip Stoneman said it was rare for police to issue backstreet parking fines near the New Town centre.

``It’s a rare rather than common event that police attend looking for traffic infringements,’’ he said.

Mr Stoneman said parking was a problem for some local residents and centre patrons.

A Tasmania Police spokeswoman said motorists had been spoken to and three infringement notices issued, adding illegal parking could lead to congestion in backstreets.

She said police had been contacted by a member of the public about illegal parking near the facility, which accommodates about 700 people at any one time throughout Saturday.

``Police were in the area as a result of a call for assistance by a member of the public who was concerned about vehicles obstructing the free and safe flow of traffic on public roads,’’ she said.

``Poor driving behaviour [which includes parking] has been recognised as a contributing factor regarding congestion in backstreets, and furthermore contributes to the creation of dangerous/hazardous situations, or the blocking of access to dwellings, businesses etc.”

The spokeswoman said police were unaware of the public wanning issued over the public address system.

“However, such an announcement may have assisted Tasmania Police, as motorists parked illegally may have reacted and moved their vehicles to another location whereby the vehicle was parked legally,” she said.

``The motorists spoken to were provided with advice, however, several vehicles were the subject of infringement notices.’’

She said police were obliged to respond to complaints from the public relating to offences which contributed to traffic congestion and other problems. `` When a member of the public contacts police for assistance, police are duty bound to attend and ascertain the nature of the complaint,’’ the spokeswoman said.

``If the complaint is something police can deal with, then they will act if appropriate.

``In this case, police assistance would generally be restricted to vehicles parked causing an obstruction to the free flow of traffic, which creates a dangerous situation for other road users.’’