Yarra Ranges Council will ramp up parking patrols in tourist hotspots and introduce new cameras

Drivers who ignore parking restrictions in tourist hotspots across the Yarra Ranges this summer can expect to cop a fine, with more cameras and patrols on the way.

Drivers near the Redwood Forest in Warburton.

Drivers who flout parking rules across the Yarra Ranges this summer can expect to cop a fine, with the local council cracking down on motorists overstaying their welcome in tourist hotspots.

Yarra Ranges Council has announced it is set to increase enforcement of existing parking restrictions across the municipality from January, to enhance traffic flow and parking for residents, traders and visitors.

Cameras mounted in Yarra Ranges branded vehicles and patrolling parking officers will nab those doing the wrong thing, with drivers who overstay parking limits facing $96 fines.

The vehicles will be manned and the cameras will capture the number plates of drivers who overstay parking limits.

The council will then liaise with VicRoads or other road authorities if required to issue the fine.

The council said local community and business feedback suggested that many vehicles had been overstaying the time limits specified in certain areas, particularly tourist hotspots, during busier times of the year including weekends and holiday periods.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Sophie Todorov said that the increased enforcement in time restricted areas during summer would help free up parking within the towns for residents and visitors alike and would enhance traffic flow.

Along with increased enforcement officers, cameras will also be used to monitor parking in restricted time spaces across the municipality.

“Given we have 2,500km to patrol, we will be using cameras mounted in Yarra Ranges branded vehicles,” Cr Todorov said.

“This means we will increase our efficiency especially in those particularly busy locations especially during the summer months.”

The Yarra Ranges is home to some of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Redwood Forest in Warburton, Healesville Sanctuary, The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, Warburton Water World and Puffing Billy.

The council has not listed any specific locations it will be targeting.