PEOPLE parking their cars in Orange have paid more than 60 per cent of the almost $1 million in parking fines issued in the Central West this financial year, new data showed.
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The latest figures from Revenue NSW reveal that from July to January, 7148 infringement notices worth a combined total of $981,776 were issued to motorists who over-stayed in parking spots across the region.
The vast majority of fines were issued in Orange, with the local government area recording more than three times the number of infringements of any other area in the Central West.
During the seven-month period, 4689 parking fines were issued to motorists in Orange, which raised $639,345 for Orange City Council's coffers - the equivalent of more than $3000 every single day in fines.
During the same time in Bathurst, 1349 fines worth $186,095 were issued.
A mobile parking enforcement car operates in both of these cities, as well as parking patrol officers on foot.
In Dubbo, motorists have handed over $97,167 in fines thanks to 729 infringement notices issued during the seven-month period.
Far less parking fines have been issued in other locations so far this financial year.
There have been 210 in Mudgee's Mid-Western local government area worth $25,682, and 96 fines worth a total of $19,089 issued in Lithgow.
There are three opportunities for Orange City Council to opt in for the fine reduction: by April 1, July, and October.
While in Cowra 47 infringement notices ($10,213) were issued; 20 were handed out in Parkes ($2391) and eight in the Hilltops LGA ($1794).
Meanwhile, the council was considering whether to drop parking fines from $112 to $80 and had sought research from the government on whether the reduced fine would deter motorists from doing the wrong thing.
Last week City of Orange Traffic Committee chairman and councillor Russell Turner told the Central Western Daily he supported a fine reduction.
At last Tuesday's meeting the council decided to reserve judgement on the issue until after Saturday's state election.
There are three opportunities for the council to opt in for the fine reduction: by April 1, July, and October.
While Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields recently said it would not be following the lead of Bland Shire Council which is currently not fining motorists who overstay in their parking spot.
"Our parking restrictions are in place to ensure people don't park in a prime CBD space for the entire day, " he said.
"We want to give a number of people the chance to park close to where they conduct their business. If that doesn't happen, the city will descend into chaos."
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