HAMILTON’S Regional Business Association (HRBA) has undertaken an informal survey of Hamilton businesses in the CBD and have found an overwhelmingly positive response to the new parking meters.

HRBA public officer Matt Nettleton said businesses reported back that the parking meters had contributed to greater turnover of parking compared to previously when customers would complain there was no parking available.

“Overwhelmingly the response from business has been positive,” he said.

 “People have reported to the businesses that there’s now more parks available,” he said.

“People can easily find a park in the CBD whereas before you would see vehicles parked there for an extended period of time.

“From the business perspective, the ease with which customers have been able to park has contributed to positive feedback.”

Mr Nettleton also said that positive feedback included that regarding the EasyPark app which was reported to be easy to use.

“It’s been reported that the app is incredibly simple to use,” he said.

“People have said that the app is super friendly.”

Mr Nettleton did say that there were some reports initially of people struggled to use the app and this feedback was reported back to the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC).

There was also some feedback that CBD tech stores had reported complaints from the more senior demographic who had asked for help using the parking meters and the app.

SGSC wellbeing, planning and regulation director, Rory Neeson said “whilst patrolling the metered parking bays for driver compliance, our local laws officers have also been helping the public to use the new meters”.

“Our customer service team has also been responding to user enquiries,” he said.