Council Encourages Positive Parking Behaviours

City Council parking enforcement teams will focus on educating drivers and increased visibility in a bid to increase safety around new parking hotspots.

Since the 22 February earthquake parking issues have moved from the Central Business District to new business hubs in industrial and commercial areas, educational facilities, around Christchurch Hospital and major suburban malls.

Acting Inspections and Enforcement Unit Manager Anne Columbus said parking enforcement teams were operating in a limited capacity to uphold public safety around parking issues, as a result of Council receiving a number of parking complaints

“The key focus will be visibility and educating drivers of parking offences. We will be placing reminder flyers on car windows where our staff observe parking offences,” Ms Columbus said.

“Only serious parking offences likely to have a real impact on public safety will be enforced, including offences such as parking on broken yellow lines and/or footpaths, parking too close to intersections or corners, blocking vehicle entrances and expired Warrant of Fitness (WOF) labels. These rules are in place to protect drivers, their passengers and other road users like cyclists.”

The Unit has also begun recovery of outstanding ticket payments for offences which occurred prior to the 22 February earthquake, including bus lane offences.  Reminder notices will  be posted out after Easter to people who received an infringement notice prior to 22 February. New payment options will be available for those who are suffering financial hardship.

“We are aware that payment of infringement notices maybe difficult within the required timeframe and could cause financial hardship for people given the impact of the earthquake on people’s personal circumstances, so we have some new options for payments to make this easier for people,” Ms Columbus said. “We do encourage people to write to us, so we can consider their personal situation and how we may be able to help.” 

Payments can be made at any of the Council’s service centres, by sending a cheque through the mail or by credit card over the phone through our Call Centre on 941 8999. Any queries about tickets can be directed to the Parking Administration team by mail at Parking Administration,  Christchurch City Council, PO Box 73013, Christchurch.