Between May 2022 and May this year, parking complaints to the Invercargill City Council rose from 44 to 107.
Council Environmental Services manager Gillian Cavanagh said complaints came from both businesses and the public, depending on the nature and location of the issue.
"When council receives these complaints through its system, a parking officer is assigned to investigate and resolve. Resolution can be by way of education or infringement. This depends on the circumstances and the history of the vehicle/person."
Analysis of the data had not identified any spots where complaints were more likely, though there was a trend of increased complaints in the suburbs as opposed to the central business district.
"The percentage of parking infringements issued in relation to the complaints has been similar in 2022 compared with 2023."
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark said that issue had not directly been raised with him, but guessed people had simply become used to being able to park directly outside shops.
"People tend to get into the attitude they want to be close to the shopping ... So it’s just changing behaviour a little more I guess."
The Otago Daily Times reported in January this year that the council’s $800,000 project to retire its 750 "lollipop" coin-operated parking meters and install 85 kiosks across the city centre resulted in less parking revenue.
Local woman Sarah Truman said she did not see many problems with the way others were parking, but would like to see more free parks and short-term parking options available.
An Esk St business owner said there had been some problems when the street parks were unmarked, but since painted lines were added there had been a significant improvement.
Local man Ivan Paget said parking in the city was too expensive, requiring him to drop his niece at her workplace most days so she could save on parking.
