Southern Downs Regional Council Local Laws Officers will increase their effort in monitoring parking in Warwick from next week.

Mayor Ron Bellingham said that in response to pressure from local business owners, Local Laws Officers will be patrolling the central business district to ensure that motorists are adhering to the parking controls.

“Due to staff shortages over recent months, parking patrols of the CBD have been very infrequent,” Cr Bellingham said.

“However business owners have voiced their concerns about the continued practice of other business people and staff parking close to their work premises, but in front of others, rather than parking in unregulated areas and walking a short distance.”

“Parking restrictions are there to ensure that traffic keeps moving throughout the day, therefore giving fair and equitable access to all businesses.

“If shoppers know that they will be able to get a park, they are more likely to stay and shop in their local community which has a positive economic effect,” Cr Bellingham said.

“I appeal to business owners and their staff to take a sensible approach to parking and think of the economic benefit to the whole community by making Warwick an easy place to park, shop and do business.”

The Mayor said that although there are not any meters in Warwick, parking restrictions range from 30 minutes to four hours, with parking fines currently set at $20.

“I would also remind motorists to keep the disabled parking spaces free for those people who need them,” Cr Bellingham said.

ENDS

Media Contact:
Tracy Vellacott
Communications Officer
(07) 4661 0305