City ponders parking time limits

The City of Albany has started a process of updating local parking laws which would enable it to set enforceable time limits in popular areas across town.

Parking at the Albany Regional Airport, CBD, Middleton Beach, Emu Point, Eyre Park and the Centennial Park sporting precinct could become subject to time limits after the City’s development and infrastructure services committee carried an officer recommendation last week to classify them as “deemed parking stations”.

The motion will go to a vote at next Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting.

Enforcement of a deemed parking station can only occur after community engagement, and with the installation of signs and line marking.

“Additional parking spaces will result in extra patrol and enforcement costs to the City,” the report said.

“Current resources dedicated to parking patrol and enforcement are considered sufficient for compliance action required for the existing bays (600).

“Approximately 20 per cent of parking infringement notices issued are subject to a request for a review at a cost of $100 per transaction. The cost of administering the current parking bays (600) is approximately $37 per bay, $22,000 per annum.”

The report said the changes would reduce red tape by reducing administrative processes involved in changing the City’s parking scheme.

“(They) will allow City officers to administer the process of establishing parking on private land when required.”