I CALLED into Coles the other day in the CBD.
As I parked in the top area I noticed an older model car doing laps of the carpark with a camera attached to the side linked up to a laptop sitting on the car passenger seat.
I asked the driver what he was doing and he told me he was a private parking inspector.
It seems if you look hard around the Cole’s carpark you may see a sign or two that says a three hour parking limit.
My comment to the driver was that I didn’t like shopping centre parking restrictions got a quick response with him saying “I do, it’s my business.”
I was never going to be longer than an hour parking so I had no issue about getting stung, but I had seen tickets issued previously there.
I agree that people shouldn’t be using the Coles carpark for more than three hours, but to me the whole issue reflected once again of how difficult it is to get into the CBD to find convenient parking without getting slapped with a fine if you accidentally stay too long.
We were promised last year that council would release a draft parking overview, but I am yet to see it.
The CBD is looking much better with the mall precinct upgrade, but as I drove into the city I noted the new 40kph speed restriction signs and wondered just when people would start getting speeding tickets as they inadvertently cruised in at the previous sedate speed of 60kph.
That was my speed when I suddenly realised the limit had changed and braked.
If a speed camera had been in place my fine would have been a whopping $646 and four demerit points.
If I was doing 51kph it would have still hurt at $464 and three demerit points.
It’s easy to be over 40kph as you slide downhill on the main streets of the CBD, the entire decision to drop the speed limit made no sense, unless of course if it was to create a booking bonanza for Main Roads.
Remember to slow down next time you drive into town.
