Council goes digital with smart parking technology
Published on 13 August 2024
Rockhampton Regional Council is rolling out new technology to improve parking management within the Rockhampton Central Business District (CBD) and other areas of the Region.
The introduction of Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) technology will replace underground sensors and traditional tyre chalking for monitoring and enforcing parking time limits.
A one-month warning period will commence from tomorrow, 14 August, with notices issued via mail instead of being placed on vehicles that overstay the parking limit. Enforcement will then commence from 11 September, 2024.
Planning and Regulation Councillor Grant Mathers said the new technology aims to improve vehicle turnover and aligns with Council’s commitment to streamlined services, efficiency and creating prosperous precincts.
“Parking management plays a crucial role in facilitating the turnover of vehicles, which allows CBD visitors easy access to the services our wonderful local businesses provide,” Cr Mathers said.
“Council vehicles equipped with the LPR technology will be operated by Council’s Local Laws Officers and will detect vehicles which have overstayed the time limit by comparing multiple images taken during patrols.
“This new system will mean more accurate and efficient monitoring of parking breaches, freeing up short-stay parking spaces in the CBD.”
Council has engaged with CBD businesses to inform them of the changes and provided advanced notice to the wider business district ahead of the new technology being implemented.
Divisional Councillor Drew Wickerson assured residents that while Council is taking new steps to modernise parking practices, the time limits remain unchanged and is reminding CBD visitors to check signage before parking.
“We understand the value of free parking within the CBD, and we will maintain this,” Cr Wickerson said.
“To increase short-term parking availability for customers, we encourage CBD workers to consider parking a short distance away and walking. This helps create a vibrant city centre and is a very easy way to make a huge difference when it comes to supporting local businesses.
“Thriving local businesses means a thriving region for everyone.”
Rockhampton CBD all-day carparking areas are located:
- Lower Riverbank off Quay Street;
- Quay Street, riverside between William and Derby Streets;
- Corner of Alma and Derby Streets;
- Alma Street between Fitzroy and Denham;
- Lower Riverbank between Archer and Fitzroy Street;
- Corner of Bolsover and Cambridge Street;
Additional on-street all-day parking spaces are available a short walking distance from the CBD, please refer to the map(PDF, 531KB) .