Parking fines decrease

Parking infringements in the Busselton shire dropped by 20 per cent this financial year despite fewer all-day bays and more ranger patrols.

Busselton Shire Council rangers handed out 1,219 parking infringements to motorists this financial year compared with 1,533 last financial year.

The decrease is despite a ranger focus on illegal parking and a reduction in the amount of all day parking bays in the Busselton CBD.

Woolworths also placed two hour time limits on its Busselton CBD bays this year.

Ranger and fire services coordinator Tim Wall said the decrease reflected “well behaved” motorists who were becoming more aware of parking restrictions around the shire.

“We’ve certainly noticed a difference,” Mr Wall said.

“In the last 12 months we’ve been getting more patrols out there.”

The infringements boosted council coffers by about $30,000 although Mr Wall denied revenue raising was considered when handing out infringements, insisting it cost council to provide and maintain bays for motorists.

“(There’s) none at all ... it’s about giving everybody the opportunity to park places,” he said.

Mr Wall said there were still many “lazy” motorists who used street parking as all-day parking spots and said rangers were encouraging drivers to use all day spaces such as those on Camilleri Street, Busselton and walk further to the shops.

Last week, The West Australian reported parking fines in Perth had increased by almost double in some suburbs.