TWO more car parks could be ruled with the iron thumb of parking patrol officers.
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Owners of the Officeworks building and the train station have made an application to Tamworth Regional Council to enlist parking patrols for visitors who overstay their welcome.
And, not everyone is impressed.
Elderly customers regularly use the Officeworks car park behind Cahill's Soul Pattinson Chemist, owner Ranjan Goli said.
"It definitely will affect our business because it's convenient for them to come through the back door," he said.
"There is a paid car park opposite on Kable Avenue but it's hard for elderly people to cross the road, there's busy traffic."
It will cost the landowners between $5000 and $8500 for the signage and fees for the service if councillors approve the patrols on Tuesday night.
Council makes $26,575 a year for the parking patrols it provides at Tamworth Square car park, plus the fines that are issued to drivers.
Workers in the CBD are the biggest offenders, and the reason why Officeworks has applied to have its car park patrolled, acting manager Dave Rose said.
"We're finding that during the busier periods there's just not enough carpark spaces for our customers," he said
"We notice a few cars that are there all the time and eventually they are warned and move on, you do get an element of that.
"What stands out is when the town is busy and there's pressures on parks, rules get thrown out the window by everyone."
The Officeworks landowner has tried to deter the issue with signage, notes on drivers' windscreens and engagement with nearby business owners.
The council has run patrols at Tamworth Square for more than 15 years and a decision to extend their agreement will be made on Tuesday night.
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NSW Trains has made an application to have the train station bus bays patrolled to stop vehicles parking in the no-stopping areas to drop passengers off.
The landowners will be notified that the council is bound by law enforcement obligations and fines are directed to Revenue NSW.
Any revenue raised in the car parks would be kept by the council.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
