Half a million dollars has been budgeted to implement Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) parking enforcement, which would be launched in the next financial year, as part of the Dunedin City Council’s ongoing plan to address the city’s "complex" parking environment.
An update on the Central City Parking Management Plan from senior transport planner Abbey Chamberlain and regulation management team leader Simon Spiers will be presented at today’s council meeting.
Their report details seven projects — including LPR parking enforcement — which would improve a "complex parking environment, built on years of ad-hoc parking restriction changes".
LPR technology would allow officers to scan number plates and monitor parking compliance from inside their vehicle — "resulting in efficiency and health and safety benefits", the report said.
"It will also provide a safer working environment in adverse weather conditions and limit the abuse officers sometimes receive from the public because infringements do not need to be issued immediately."
A further $100,000 has been budgeted for "parking technology" and off-street LPR, in addition to $100,000 for Central City Parking Wayfinding in the current financial year.
The Central City Parking Management Plan was budgeted in the 2021-31 Long Term Plan with an initial budget cap of $9.5million.
"Work to date includes simplifying the parking offering, reducing the number of zones, and adjusting pricing to help more accurately reflect the value of parking," the report said.
"Having access to improved technology, data and enforcement tools allows for better parking management."
