Solar sensors will 'scare people away'

Mayoral candidate Mark Bell-Booth has attacked the Palmerston North City Council's enthusiasm for the solar-powered sensors that will bolster the city's parking enforcement, saying they could scare away shoppers.

"Our city needs to attract parkers to the central business district and not scare them off from coming into town," he said.

"There's no doubting the Frogparking technology is a great idea from a savvy local technology provider, but, right now, any investment in parking should be aimed at attracting parkers into the inner city rather than pinging them for being one minute over the allocated time."

City firm Frogparking is to install 4000 sensors in parking spaces that will allow wardens to know which vehicles have stayed too long.

The project comes at no cost to the council, which is to share an expected increase in revenue with the business. Mayor Jono Naylor is defending the scheme because he says law-abiding shoppers have nothing to fear.

"This is not about scaring away parkers. We're showcasing new and innovative technology and getting accurate information for planning."

Frogparking plans to use Palmerston North to show the effectiveness of the technology to international markets.

The council has yet to decide how it will approach enforcement.

Mr Naylor said the scheme should help free up parks for more motorists.

"At the end of the day, any person who parks in the central business district and stays for the amount of time they are legally obliged to pay for has nothing to fear," he said.

Mr Bell-Booth said the council wasn't showing much interest in the vitality of the central business district and Mr Naylor should challenge bureaucrats to look for solutions.

Mr Naylor said the council lowered parking fees at Broadway and beautified empty shop windows with art work.

"There are still plenty of stores open and trading and I would encourage people to utilise them."

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