Parking infringement warnings are being issued to Mount Isa residents who are parking in time-limited areas for too long.
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Mount Isa City Council implemented new parking infringement warnings and notices in January 2020, in an attempt to educate locals on the time-limited parking around the city.
Mount Isa City Council Director of Compliance and Utility Services Jake Hart said the new approach had come out of complaints from businesses and schools around town.
"Council received a lot of comments from local businesses that their trade was being affected by people who were parking all day in front of their shop," Mr Hart said.
"It is not just businesses, we have had issues with all time limited parking including at schools and when you have people parking there all day it means parents are restricted in their pick up and drop off.
Mr Hart said Council wanted to advise locals of the time limits rather then fine.
"This is a new notice for us, Council had a think about it over the Christmas break and how we can do things better and advise people rather then just infringe," he said.
"We want to work with the public and not just go out there with a heavy handed approach. So this is part of our efforts to notify and change behaviours on parking around the city.
"Obviously we don't know the owner of every vehicle or where they might be, so if they happen to be at their vehicle great we will have a chat to them otherwise it will be a warning."
The move follows the installation of a new parking area for campervans and caravans at Frank Aston Hill in 2019.
Mr Hart said all time limited parking was patrolled by local law rangers.
"On any given day our rangers could be given the task of parking enforcement, locals will be warned when they have outstayed the parking limit and if council notices repeat offenders, fines would be issued.
"Fines would be required to be paid to Council and at the moment a fine could result in a half penalty unit but we may need to look at that in the future."
For business that don't have any on site parking, Mr Hart said there were a number of options to consider.
"Either you look at your business and consider getting off street parking somewhere, or I know it might be a hassle but you move your car," Mr Hart said.
"Council could also review the time limited parking in certain areas, or locals could look at another parking area or walk to work.
"There is ample parking in this city."
When asked about parking exemptions for employee vehicles, Mr Hart said there was no permit exemptions.
"I don't believe there is at the moment, but it is something we could certainly look into," he said.
"I know that at other councils, you can apply for a permit if you have a reasonable cause to be in that area for an extended period and is something we could look at."
Mr Hart said parking enforcement had been in place for many years, this was just a new approach to educate locals.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
