Automated parking surveillance tech hits Bundaberg streets

Drivers overstaying their welcome in Bundaberg’s CBD are being put on notice, with a new technology being trialled at a ‘minimal’ cost to the ratepayers.

Councillor May Mitchell (pictured) endorsed the new technology. Image credit: Bundaberg Regional Council.

Drivers overstaying their welcome in Bundaberg’s CBD parking spots have a new big brother watching them.

A new automated technology has been rolled out by the Bundaberg Council which will spot cars that stay parked for too long by using technology to read their license plates.

The ParkSmart technology, using cameras fitted to well signed ParkSmart cars, rolled onto streets on Monday October 6 as part of an ongoing trial.

The automated technology was first announced alongside the release of the 2023-24 council budget in an April announcement from Councillor May Mitchell.

“The vehicle is fitted with two high-speed cameras and a GPS tracking system and captures images of parked vehicles,” Ms Mitchell said.

“ParkSmart aims to encourage people to stick to the designated parking times and move on time, this will create more parking spaces for others.”

The Sunshine Coast Council are currently running their own three-year trial of the ParkSmart technology.

The media release said the ParkSmart rollout was part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s 2023-24 budget, but no specific cost is outlined in the document.

A Bundaberg Regional Council spokeswoman said the cost for the cars and the technology is “minimal” due to the trial nature of the program.

“There has been no change in parking time limits, or the cost of parking tickets, compared to the previous method,” a spokeswoman said.

Commenting on a Bundaberg Now post sharing the media release, one resident questioned how adding more cars to the already congested parking areas in the CBD would ease parking demand.

“No ParkSmart if someone needs a park in the CBD they will move their car nearby, this does not free up a park,” they said.

The cars, which will be used by two officers at any one time, are reported to create a safer environment for ticket officers.

“No staff have been replaced by the ParkSmart technology and the trial is proving more efficient and safer for them,” the spokeswoman said.

Only one car is in at the moment.

It currently casts its camera over the Bundaberg CBD and “will progressively include other areas including school zones,” she said.

The Bundaberg Council’s trial follows a similar rollout of the technology on the Sunshine Coast in July of 2022.