THE Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) announced this week that with the one-month grace period coming to an end, paid-parking rules in the Hamilton CBD will be officially enforced as of yesterday, March 1, with fines up to $96.

SGSC wrote in a social media post on Thursday that the unmonitored parking period since the new touch-screen meters were installed a month ago for “education and testing” will no longer be in place, with infringement notices to be issued for unpaid parking from now on.

“Local Laws Officers will formally start monitoring metered parking bays from (yesterday) to ensure drivers are adhering to signed parking conditions,” they said.  

The Council said that the grace period had allowed for Local Laws and Customer Service teams to accept enquiries about the new technology as well as a range of feedback from the community.

“Overall, most of the feedback from customers has been about ‘how easy it is to use the meters and the app when shown’,” they said.

The Council also said that the new parking meters had been installed in Hamilton CBD to “replace ageing technology, improve and streamline the parking payment process for drivers and reduce the effort required by Local Laws Officers to handle cash.”

“We would like to thank the community for its cooperation throughout the roll-out of the new parking meter system,” they concluded.

SGSC Wellbeing, Planning and Regulation director, Rory Neeson said that the Council has allowed enough time for locals to adapt to the new parking meter regulations and breaching of paid-parking requirements will now become penalised.

“Since the installation of the meters in late January, Council staff have been educating the community on how to use the new meters and the app through the media, our social channels and by walking the streets to assist people face-to-face,” he said.

“Throughout this time, we have been monitoring compliance with time limits.  We are now moving into enforcement for those who are not complying with the sign posted parking restrictions.

“The value of a fine varies depending on the offence but as an example, the current fine for exceeding the time limit is $96.”

The Council reminds users that parking can be paid via debit or credit card, a pre-paid debit card (purchased at Hamilton Post Office), or using the Easy Park app.

Costs for parking remain at $1.20 per hour, between Monday-Thursday, 9.30am-5.30pm, Friday, 9.30am- 8.00pm, Saturday, 9.00am-12.00pm, with free parking all Sunday.

Parking spots designated for Australian Disability Parking permit holders are free at all times, with no time limit.

Anyone wishing to find more information can contact the Council Customer Service or visit the council website at sthgrampians.vic.gov.au