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Michelle Matthews on the job in Orewa

Media release

Orewa

For immediate publication

Busy Orewa gets Rodney’s first permanent parking officer

Increasing pressure on parking spaces in the Orewa CBD has led to the appointment of Rodney District Council’s first permanent parking officer.

Michelle Matthews is already on the job and is set to become a familiar face in the Orewa CBD, as well as the Whangaparaoa town centre and Silverdale CBD.

Until now, the council has only employed part-time parking officers, who also dealt with graffiti, litter, abandoned vehicles, fire permits and general bylaw enforcement. However, an increase in population and traffic around Orewa has made a permanent parking officer a necessity.

“Many people are parking in the centre of the town longer than they should, often all day,” says Rodney District Council’s bylaws manager, Wayne Knightbridge.

“That means short-term visitors are finding it difficult to get a park near shops and services, which in turn affects local businesses.

“We encourage people wanting to spend longer in Orewa to park in areas that have unrestricted parking times to ensure greater turnover of traffic in the centre of town.”

While issuing parking tickets is a necessary part of her job, Michelle’s new position also includes that of ‘Town Ambassador’ - a goodwill role.

This involves giving general town-centre information to residents and visitors, whether it’s letting them know how to access certain council services, giving directions or pointing out general features of the town centre.

“We like to think that Michelle is here to improve the experience of visiting the Orewa CBD for everyone,” Mr Knightbridge says.

ENDS

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