Keep it moving: Orange council considering mobile parking patrols

The system is currently used in Bathurst, using licence plate recognition technology to monitor those who exceed the time limit and has made a significant impact on the rate of vehicle turnover. 

Earlier this year, Fairfax Media reported Bathurst Regional Council’s parking revenue had grown by 50 per cent since the mobile parking patrol hit the streets.

Parking officers issued fines worth $133,147 in the seven months from March to September, up from $87,591 in the seven months to March.

The possibility in Orange, which will be discussed in confidential briefings next week, was mentioned at Tuesday’s meeting as a way of sourcing additional revenue for parking infrastructure.

“We will have a similar outcome,” councillor Scott Munro said.

After the meeting, traffic committee chair and councillor Russell Turner said the concept was worth a trial.

“There are enough spaces in Orange, but there are certainly times like Christmas or after school when some parking areas are full - this will spread out the use,” he said.

“I would expect that we would get a flush of income in the early stages, but once people realise they’re more likely to get caught, their behaviour will perhaps improve.”

According to the Bathurst council website, a camera fitted to the vehicle takes photos of parked cars. 

A second pass after the time limit expires allows a computer to compare images and detect illegal parkers faster, with 1000-1200 vehicles monitored an hour. 

Until a decision is made on the system in Orange, Cr Turner encouraged people to park a block or two back from Summer Street. 

“The walk only takes two minutes,” he said.

“I call on business owners in the lead-up to Christmas to park a block away so their customers can park near that business - some can be very selfish in that way.”

Cr Munro’s bid to reverse a decision to reintroduce parking contributions for business owners who change the use of their premises failed at the meeting.