Parking fines total well up

An increase in parking fines issued in the Wakatipu Basin last year is attributed to a crackdown on overstayers at the Queenstown Airport.

Between Arrowtown, Frankton and Queenstown there were 20,175 parking tickets given out in 2012, an increase from 2011's 19,879.

However, totals for Arrowtown and Queenstown fell by 444 and 29 respectively.

The rise in tickets had come from Frankton, rising from 512 to 1281 over the year.

Lakes Environmental regulatory and corporate manager Lee Webster said this was the result of airport ticket wardens cracking down on motorists parking in the drop-off zone.

He said many drivers were choosing to park in the drop-off zone and were more likely to be issued a ticket than in previous years.

Another problem area for parking was by the Frankton golf course where airport users would often park for days on end as there was no parking restriction.

This was causing a heavy back-up of vehicles during certain parts of the year.

Mr Webster said a parking restriction had been put in place near the hospital, but not by the golf course to date.

Wanaka parking tickets had also fallen from 1387 to 1144, he said.

Of the parking tickets issued last year, 82% had been paid, a 10% decrease from 2011.

Mr Webster said this would change as many drivers paid their fines only after the 28-day reminder, and others after the 56-day reminder before the court would get involved.

''The payment process with the reminder being issued prior to going to court is 56 days, so there will be a number in November and December who have not received the reminder to advise that the matter will be sent to court.

''So I fully anticipate this figure will increase somewhat, as in previous years.''

If fines do end up in court, a further $30 is added as a court cost, Mr Webster said.