Parking infringements in Devonport’s CBD dropped by 40% late last year after council officers paused fining motorists to help them adjust to new parking meters.
Figures released at Tuesday night’s council meeting show 2,712 infringement notices were issued between October and December 2025 – down from 4,513 in the same period the previous year.
“This decrease reflects a deliberate decision to prioritise assisting the public during the transition to the new parking meters,” council documents state.
“In fact, officers did not issue any infringements for several weeks, focusing instead on helping people understand the new system.”
Councillor Gerard Enniss praised the decision, saying “common sense” had prevailed.
“I’m sure the public would appreciate it,” he said.
However, a local resident questioned whether enough consideration had been given to tourists and visitors from rural areas unfamiliar with the technology.
He said he knew people who had “turned away” from the CBD due to parking difficulties.
“What consideration has been really given to visitors and tourists that come in there? They wouldn’t have a clue,” he said.
Mayor Alison Jarman said clear signage should help guide unfamiliar motorists.
“When I go into a foreign area, when I travel and I go to a new car park that I’ve never been into before, I read the signs. That’s the first thing I do,” she said.
Council also confirmed its parking officers must manually enter licence plates when checking payments, saying no reliable automated AI software currently exists.
“This approach is consistent across other enforcement agencies, reflecting the importance of human oversight in the infringement process,” council documents state.
“Council remains committed to adopting reliable and efficient technology when it becomes available and is proven to enhance both the accuracy and fairness of parking enforcement.”
About 90% of motorists now pay via one of two accepted parking apps, the council said.
Normal enforcement has since resumed following the transition period.
