ARARAT Rural City plans to use enforcement and education to improve its parking revenue following poor performance by its meters.
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Figures in Ararat Rural City’s corporate strategy, risk and governance quarterly report showed the last few months had fallen behind previous financial years in terms of collecting parking fees.
Parking receipts in the eight weeks since July were at their lowest level since 2010-11.
In one of the best recent years for parking revenue, Ararat Rural City was able to collect $20,000 by the ninth week of 2015-16.
This financial year, revenue was on track to reach about half that total.
Councillor Gwenda Allgood asked for a clarification on the parking figures during last week’s council meeting.
“Are the parking meters on track?” she said.
“I know that we are waiting on new meters.”
Cr Allgood was told it was a maintenance issue.
“The machines have been problematic, continually breaking down,” An Ararat Rural City manager said.
“It’s very frustrating.
“There’s an upgrade going through now. The machines are looking a bit different they have two panels with completely new electronics.
“I have been assured they are a lot more robust. they we can at least commence with an education and enforcement program for people who do not pay for parking.”
However, the takings had improved in August compared with July.
“EasyPark activity in August in general was business as usual,” the report stated.
“Monthly service statistics show a significant increase in transactions and revenue compared to the previous month – over 40 per cent.
“Compared to the same month last year EasyPark transactions and revenue have increased by 55 and 68 per cent respectively.
“These figures show strong satisfaction with the EasyPark service among users in Ararat.”
Ararat Rural City had issues 29 disability parking permits and issued no parking fines during the quarter.
The quarterly report also showed that tourism numbers were up 8.8 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Tourists from other areas of country Victoria, Melbourne and interstate areas made up the bulk of the increase.
Ararat Rural City issued 18 animal management infringements totaling $4563.