Yarra City Council is putting parking in Richmond, Victoria under the spotlight by installing an estimated 4,000 underground sensors in key traffic areas, including the sporting precinct.
Mayor Roberto Colanzi said the improvement of vehicle turnover in the parking spaces was the main aim of the new system, which he believed would free up parking bays for use by local business patrons and Yarra residents.
He said on-street parking was in such great demand that it outstrips supply, especially in the Cremorne and Richmond sporting precinct, which attracts millions annually.
This, together with the fact that many motorists park longer than the limit on parking Signs designate, adversely impacts the daily lives of businesses and residents, he added.
While admitting the problem is shared by the majority of inner-city municipalities, the Mayor said a concerted approach to the management and monitoring of the area’s limited parking is necessary.
The parking sensor system has already been used within the City of Melbourne and other major Australian cities with great success, according to Mayor Colanzi, who said the scheme provided many benefits for residents and businesses alike.
He said the initiative will also assist Council in gathering data on usage patterns and trends when updating and reviewing parking restrictions.
The new parking sensors, he said, will be implemented in places where time restrictions already apply, and not parking bays where coin payment or pay by phone are used.
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