Staggering number of people are ignoring paid parking rules across City of Darwin

It’s staggering that nearly 18,000 fines had to be issued to people who parked without paying or overstayed

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IT’S not alarming that the City of Darwin has collected $734,000 in parking fines.

It’s staggering that nearly 18,000 fines had to be issued to people who parked without paying or overstayed.

These would be a combination of people who didn’t read the signs properly, overstayed the time limit or simply ignored the rules.

Regardless of your opinion on parking fees, they’re enforced throughout our city and if you don’t want to pay them stay home or park in designated free areas.

Parking fees and timed bays keep traffic flowing throughout the city to ensure workers don’t congest parking intended for people visiting the city to socialise or run errands for a few hours.

There’s no denying that parking fees are a revenue raiser for any council.

But that $734,000 goes in to the council coffers to pay for things like public parks, swimming pools, beautifying our laneways and even those myDarwin vouchers we all enjoyed.

It’s also important to note that without parking revenue, annual rates would almost certainly be much higher.

Most of those nearly 18,000 fines were issued in the in the CBD area, with 16,292 handed out in the city and 1398 in the suburbs.

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Of the tickets issued, the fines amount to $666,135 for the CBD area and $68,120 for the suburbs.

Unlike some other capital cities, the City of Darwin has an app – PayStay – that means you only pay for the minutes you stay.

For example, it can cost as little as 33 cents to park and pick up a takeaway laksa and just $5 to pull up on Cavenagh St and meet friends for a couple of pints.

And don’t even bother trying to appeal a parking sign with these excuses …

I didn’t see the sign.

I didn’t understand the parking sign.

I went to get change for the machine.

I lost track of time.

My doctor’s appointment/hairdresser/job interview etc went over time.

I had to use the toilet.

I was only parked for a few minutes.

But be aware, there’s parking price hikes on the way.

Darwin Council has released its proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 shows all metered on-street parking in the CBD is set to increase by five per cent.

Metered on-street parking will go up by 10c an hour across all zones in the city and minimum daily charge will increase from $7.50 to $8.

The cost of off-street carparking will also increase along with a 12-month parking permit.

If you don’t like it, let the council know.

When the NT News went to view the proposed price hikes, it was the first time anyone had asked for them.

You have until July 8 to lodge an appeal against the parking price hikes.

Darwin council are putting $477,000 into refurbishing their disabled parking spaces. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

If you really want to avoid parking fees, hit up the Palmerston CBD.

Palmerston Council recently confirmed it was extending its free parking in the CBD for another year.

Parking is free in time restricted parking and all-day parking areas across Palmerston with a valid ticket.

Palmerston Council points out that time limits are in place to help turn over and support local businesses.

And another thing, it’s never ok to take out your frustrations on a ‘blue bomber’.

They’re just doing their job – no matter what the weather.

These people are not the enemy, they’re enforcing the rules.

If you stick by those rules you won’t be issued with one of the nearly 18,000 fines that were dishes out this financial year.

Denise Cahill is the Head of News at the NT News

Follow @DeniseCahill18