News Alert |

Three City of Ballarat vehicles have been fitted with Licence Plate Recognition cameras and they are now on the roads in test mode only prior to Christmas.

City of Ballarat parking officers are currently being trained in their use.

The vehicles meet Australian Standards and are of the same quality that both Victoria Police and Sherriff’s Office use.

They will be fully integrated into the new City of Ballarat Smarter Parking Plan when it begins in February.

A reminder that free parking is continuing in the Ballarat CBD until January 31, though it is important motorists remember time limits still apply.

City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Ben Taylor said the Licence Plate Recognition Vehicles were an important element of the Smarter Parking Plan, which also includes new meters that will accept coins or credit cards and a phone app that can be used to pay for parking.

“Our Smarter Parking Plan is aimed at making CBD parking easier, cheaper and more flexible for our motorists so it is important we have the accompanying state-of-the-art technology to ensure we can do this in the best possible manner,” Cr Taylor said.

“The extensive consultation we undertook prior to implementing the Smarter Parking Plan showed better parking enforcement was important to our residents and these clearly identified vehicles will help us to make sure traffic keeps moving through our vibrant CBD.”