Robert Doyle unveils hi-tech parking overhaul for Melbourne CBD

Melbourne City Council has voted to put its planned reforms out to tender, with the changes to be potentially implemented by the middle of this year.

The council will consult with key stakeholders such as city retailers before the proposals are pushed through.
Under the plan, which was approved during a confidential meeting last night, the council will:

• Introduce in-ground sensors that send a signal to the nearest parking inspectors hand held device whenever a vehicle exceeds its time limit;
• Start-up a trial at the northern end of the CBD enabling motorists to pay for parking with their mobile phone as well as via the usual coin method; and
• Unveil imaging processing technology that identifies the number plates of vehicles that have overstayed their welcome.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, in a statement released this afternoon, said the new system would lead to a ``more consistent and reasonable approach to parking enforcement.