Parking fines on the rise for motorists at a popular beach spot in Adelaide’s west

THERE’S been a 30 per cent increase in parking fines at a popular Adelaide beachside spot – more than 1300 people have been pinged in just a few months. There’s a simple reason why, locals say.

The revamped Henley Square. Picture: Sam Wundke

• Multi-million overhaul is one thing, but where to park?

PARKING fines at Henley Beach have increased by almost 30 per cent since the redevelopment of Henley Square with more than half handed out for exceeding time limits.

More than 1300 expiation notices were issued by Charles Sturt Council from November 2016 to February 2017 compared to just 980 in the same period a year before.

The council collected $41,000 from motorists committing time-limit offences which carry a fine of $50.

Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association president Jim Douglas says he suspects the increase in time-limit expiations is likely a result of sensors introduced at the northern carpark.

Charles Sturt Council did not respond to questions before the Weekly Times deadline about why the number of offences had increased but Mr Douglas said the sensors were activated when a car drove into the parking space and then, if a car has been parked for more than the time limit, council officers were notified and issued a fine.

“I think the sensors were put in around late December or early January but people don’t know they are there,” Mr Douglas said.

“I can’t say I’ve noticed any great difference in the density of cars in the area though.”

“I understand it is a difficult issue for the council to manage but a parking management plan needs to be developed to create more parks around Henley.”

A car illegal parking at Henley Square.

Mr Douglas identified a number of sites around the area that the council should look at for more parking including the former Henley and Grange Council depot on Military Rd.

Henley Oval and the Henley Sailing Club were also options, he said. WACRA has proposed a shuttle bus service from the Henley Sailing Club carpark at Harold and Cynthia Anderson Reserve.

Outgoing Labor MP Paul Caica’s office on Seaview Rd is council-owned land and could also provide another parking option, he said.

Charles Sturt chief executive Paul Sutton last month saidthe council was continually looking at managing the existing car parks as efficiently as possible.

“The redevelopment of the square and the associated carparks provided a small increase in the number of car parks,” he said.

“However, the popularity of the square has been higher, with the traders doing well and our community wanting to spend time all along the coast, especially across the recent school holiday and summer period.

“This always means parking at our coastal centres will be in demand.”

Henley Beach Business Association chairwoman Gemma Foord said, while turning over the parking spaces more frequently with timed parking was good for businesses, a long-term solution was needed.

“A plan of action is needed so people can properly enjoy everything that’s on offer at Henley without having to worry about parking,” she said.

“It’s not something that can be fixed overnight, but council do have land that they are sitting on.”

Parking has been a long-running issue at Henley Square before and after its redevelopment in late 2015.

Reconfiguration of the carparks near Henley Surf Club and next to Evida restaurant during the square’s upgrade resulted in 14 new parking spaces.

More recently, added parking has been offered at the Foodland car park in the H20/Baju complex, which now remains open after the shops in the centre have closed.

The council has also considered introducing paid parking in the north carpark.