A parking meter resetting device is being trialled at Queenstown over the next two weeks, Queenstown Lakes District Council Wakatipu operations manager Greg Stewart said.

"There is certainly a perception that we have an issue with short term parking that is being occupied, long term. According to the manufacturers this electronic device (Meter-Eye) will electronically alert the parking officer of vehicles over their time limit," Mr Stewart said.

This would also have the added bonus of alerting officers of vehicles that had exceeded the allowed parking time but were being 'topped' up, therefore making better use of the parking officer's time.

"Again we are aware of the perception that there are people engaged in the practice of leaving a vehicle in one space, long term, by simply feeding the meter but it's a difficult thing to monitor," Mr Stewart said.

The trial would confirm whether or not that was the case.

"The purpose of looking at a device of this nature is not about revenue gathering," Mr Stewart said.

One of the more controversial aspects of the device was that it cleared any credit left on a meter.

"It is something we may be able to address with the manufacturer, although in some city centres this is already an accepted practice," Mr Stewart said.

On completion of the trial a report would be prepared for the September QLDC utilities committee.

"By that time the trial will have given us some hard data to consider," Mr Stewart said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Greg Stewart 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah