Parking Infringements

In over a month of weekend doorknocking residents have tended to raise minor local concerns, with very few common grievances. One matter that has come up several times is the perceived unfairness of Council rangers in issuing parking fines.

People accept that if they have overstayed in a timed parking zone they may return to their car and find a ticket. That's life. They also accept that there should be zero tolerance around schools to maintain safety for children. What is upsetting is to receive a ticket in the mail after having been photographed while momentarily stopped. One resident was photographed picking up a passenger in a bus zone, with no bus in sight. Another was photographed while waiting on the road for a car to depart from a parking space. These seem to be everyday occurrences and people feel that they have been unfairly treated.

I think the parking enforcement practices should be reviewed. Do our rangers ever tell people to move on, or issue a caution rather than a fine as provided in the code? It is becoming increasingly difficult to pick up or drop off passengers anywhere in our commercial centres if you don't intend to park the car. The preponderance of "no stopping" rather than "no parking" has reduced the available drop off zones. This is crazy! Bus zones, postal zones and disabled parking spaces should be available for a quick drop off or pick up provided the intended users are not inconvenienced. If the ranger observes that a vehicle is waiting or standing in these places or a bus etc comes along, he/she can then take the photo and issue the fine. Otherwise the action is of no consequence and the need for a penalty is questionable.

After the election I will move for a review of our parking enforcement practices to try make them more realistic and fair. This will give residents some comfort that Council is primarily concerned with safety and efficient use of parking resources rather than just revenue raising.