The ''honeymoon'' for those parking in Alexandra and Cromwell's central business district has lasted six years, but might soon be over.
There have been restricted parking zones in those business centres since 2007 but the Central Otago District Council has never enforced the restrictions.
The monopolising by workers of car parks near their shops and offices was discussed at this week's Vincent Community Board meeting.
Board member Stu Millis said not only were staff taking all the parks near shops, some businesses were also ''advertising'' by placing signwritten vehicles near their businesses all day.
''Where there are areas of restricted parking, they are not being enforced. Can the community board do anything about that?'' he asked.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said the board had ''budgeted for a spot of enforcement''. Board chairwoman Clair Higginson said it was time for action.
''We thought peer pressure would do it, but obviously not.''
The council installed the signs restricting parking to one or two hours in the main business areas in 2007, with the stated intention of freeing up main street parking for customers and preventing the long-term use of parks by business staff.
Provision for enforcing the parking restrictions will be part of the council's new roading bylaws, chief executive Phil Melhopt confirmed yesterday. The council is at present introducing its roading policy and the bylaw will follow that document.
