Sunshine Coast Council appears to have quickly removed a Facebook post about its revolutionary new car parking monitoring system, which uses “number plate recognition, high-speed cameras and advanced computer software” to keep watch on anyone who stays too long in a car park space.
The social media post generated considerable public opposition to the high-tech parking monitoring program, although some made the simple observation, “if you abide by the rules, you won’t receive a fine”.
Council did not respond directly to questions over the post removal, simply saying it “remains committed to The ParkSmart trial”.
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The ParkSmart program was first used in Caloundra, Birtinya, Point Cartwright and the Nicklin Way area in July. The “trial” will continue with a second vehicle in Nambour, Eumundi and the Maroochydore CBD, from November 21 until December 18.
Council advised, “there would be a four-week educational period with caution notices issued before infringements would then be imposed”.
“The new parking monitoring technology is aimed at encouraging vehicle turnover, creating parking opportunities and allowing equitable and safe access to various locations across our region,” Council’s Customer and Planning Services Group Executive Debra Robinson said.
“It’s also focused on providing a safer work environment for parking officers and reducing the risk of occupational violence.”
The announcement of the high-tech surveillance vehicle on Council’s Facebook page was bombarded with multiple negative comments. But by the next morning, the post had disappeared.
One of the public comments on the now-deleted post said: “Am I reading this right? Creating parking opportunities by issuing fines to drivers (not by building extra parking spots)?”
Another said: “We will be back to horse and cart soon as it will be too expensive to park soon.”
In a previous story by SCN, Council noted that: the vehicle captures images of parked vehicles and records the vehicle location (GPS coordinates), number plate and time; it allows council to check whether motorists are adhering to parking regulations by driving along a street; those motorists overstaying the parking time allocation will be forwarded an infringement.
ParkSmart operates in all weather conditions and identifies regulated parking conditions on the street.
“We have seen a reduction in occupational violence during the first trial … rolling out the program in Eumundi would be key in trialling how well the program performed during large events, like the bi-weekly Eumundi Markets,” Ms Robinson said.
“We’re interested to see the benefits and challenges of using this new technology in highly concentrated locations … these findings will be used to consider a possible roll out around major events in the future.”
For more information about ParkSmart, visit Sunshine Coast Council – Parking.
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