Parking wardens come to town

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 588, 30 May 1995, Page 1

Parking wardens come to town

Ohakune catches up to cities in a way not usually seen as positive this month with the introduction of parking wardens. The Ruapehu District Council voted last Friday to approve a set of parking restrictions, limitations and

prohibitions for the town, along with signs, fines and enforcement officers. Fines now range from $ 1 0 to $40 for parking too long in the wrong place (as set down in the Transport Act 1962). Cost estimates for enforcement were put at $25,000 which would not include software "such as that used by other authorities which enfor.ce parking control". Staff currently employed as dog control officers will take on the work. Cr Bob Peck expressed concem that dog control officers would be taken away from work that already appeared to often beunder-manned. "I am quite concerned that dog control officers are

already looking after Whanganui River Bylaws and now will also be meter maids," said Mr Peck. He said he has had difficulty making contact with officers in Raetihi — that they were "always some place else". Council CEO Cliff Houston said the dog officers' responsibilities were now less with the cutting out of ovis control work. "There is no intention to reduce the coverage of the dog control officers but we have to maximise the use of their time," he said. Council officer Nicole Middleton said enforcement would be carried out at peak times such as ski season school holidays. At other times patrols will be random.