29 November 2000

‘Display or pay’ is the message Manukau City Council is sending to car owners who park in mobility carparks without displaying a current mobility parking permit.

In a bid to discourage able drivers taking mobility carparks, Council has adopted a new towing policy starting in December which will see cars automatically towed if there’s no current mobility parking permit displayed.

Illegal parking in mobility carparks has long been a problem in Manukau City and a general push from the community has seen Council give greater significance to the offence. In the past only infringement notices have been issued, something Council says hasn’t been a suitable deterrent. Currently cars are only towed if they are causing traffic hazard or blocking an accessway. From December parking officers will still issue infringement tickets before contacting the assigned towing company.

Kevin Jackson, Manager Environmental Health and Compliance, says Manukau is one of a few cities that provides ample free parking for its residents and visitors, something able drivers should remember.

“There is really no excuse for people to use mobility carparks and not display a current mobility parking permit. We have 3000 people in Manukau who currently hold mobility parking permits and we want to make sure they’re given convenient access to parking. In saying that though, permit holders must display a current permit or risk being towed,” says Kevin.

A public awareness campaign will run for the next few weeks to ensure everyone is made aware of the new towing scheme.

Motorists who park in a mobility carpark without displaying a current parking permit will return to their car to find a bright orange sticker on their driver side window. The stickers will act as a warning notice before towing begins.

“Most of us should be grateful if the only thing we need to worry about when shopping is walking an extra 20m to our cars,” says Kevin.

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