Horsham Rural City Council will shortly roll out a new parking experience with more than 60 new parking meters to be installed in the city centre.
Horsham currently has 361 ageing meters, with some dating back to the 1960s. These meters have now reached the end of their serviceable life and Council has been working with an Australian supplier to source new machines.
Council is now preparing to replace the existing meters with 60 modern Australian-made meters, with installation starting from Monday 23 January.
The first stage of works involves cutting into the pavement and installing concrete foundations. The meters will be fully installed and operational by early March.
The switch to the new meters will happen at the same time HRCC's new Parking Management Plan takes effect, with time limits at most CBD bays to increase from one hour to two.
Mayor Robyn Gulline said the current meters were outdated, prone to failure, and required parts which were no longer manufactured.
"Sometimes our current parking meters suffer glitches because they have reached the end of their useful life and need to be replaced," Cr Gulline said.
"Council wants to deliver value for ratepayers, which is why we have investigated innovative options and engaged a Victorian-based company to provide the new meters.
"For the ease of customers, we're installing solar powered parking meters, including meters which are coin, card and app operated.
The solution we have found will not only offer the most up to date and sustainable technology but will also still allow people to use their spare change to pay at 2P parking meters.
"The complementary app allows people to pay for their parking without needing to go to the meter, making it quicker and easier to pay for your parking in the city," she said.
Cr Gulline said signs will be erected in the locations to alert motorists of the change and provide instruction on how to use the new meters.
"Replacing the old meters with next generation technology, will provide consistency and will help keep traffic moving around the CBD. We know historically there has been issues with people parking in front of shops for extended periods which in turn prevents other shoppers from accessing those parking locations.
"Completed traffic engineering studies have shown us that paid parking is effective and efficient in managing those priority parking spaces within the CBD to enable movement of shoppers, ultimately increasing foot traffic to our local businesses," Cr Gulline said.
