Alert to all drivers: sensor parking now active
Underground sensors in 375 on-street bays on Thompson Avenue, Chapel Street and The Esplanade; and 123 at the Transit Centre.
Controversial sensor parking is now live across Cowes.
The $377,000 sensor project has seen 506 underground sensors – difficult to spot at a quick glance – installed: 375 in on-street bays on Thompson Avenue, Chapel Street and The Esplanade; and 123 off-street bays at the Cowes Transit Centre; as well as 262 in Wonthaggi.
The “Bass Coast Parking” guidance mobile app – which will help drivers find an available bay - is also now active and available to download for free from Google Play store for Android and Apple Store for IOS.
Electronic signs - on Thompson Avenue on Church and Chapel streets – have been installed to alert drivers to the direction of and distance to available car parking.
A Bass Coast Shire spokeswoman said while the sign to the transit centre carpark was active in December, the two signs on Thompson Avenue were “ready to be turned on and are waiting for the electricity company”, with an estimated start time in January.
CEO Ali Wastie has argued the sensors would “notify parking inspectors when a car has overstayed its time limit”, meaning more fines will be issued, but “the sensors are not paid parking”.
“Smart parking” will not have an impact on the current number of parking bays and there won't be any changes to parking limits/restrictions, the shire states.
Mayor Michael Whelan said the “smart-parking” technology would make it easier to find a park.
“Our population across Bass Coast had grown 25 per cent from 2016 to 2021 and we are one of Australia’s premier tourism destinations,” Cr Whelan said.
“Initiatives that help minimise traffic congestion and enable drivers to find a park quicker, mean that they can spend more time in our fabulous local businesses.
“It’s a better way to manage free parking. The introduction of smart parking will support the existing parking in Wonthaggi and Cowes and it is important to note that there have been no changes to parking restriction, no reduction in car parking spaces and that parking remains free for all users.”
The sensors will provide council with visibility around space occupancy including duration of stay, usage trends, peak usage, as well as reporting and data insights to use for future planning decisions.
The sensors have come under heavy criticism by the community because they were introduced with no consultation, with many arguing they were not needed outside peak tourist season and would push parking into residential areas.
The shire has emphatically ruled out paid parking in Cowes, despite councillors in December approving a plan that recommends it.
Paid parking is detailed in fine print of the final Cowes streetscape masterplan, but it was not in the earlier draft plan that received community feedback in September.
Details: basscoast.vic.gov.au/smart-parking
