Wollongong City Council is embarking on a 12-month trial of new camera technology that will allow compliance officers to electronically monitor timed parking zones and ensure fair public access to parking hotspots around the city.
The electronic monitoring system captures license plate data via in-vehicle cameras, allowing officers to patrol timed areas more widely and efficiently than the current manual practice of chalking tyres. The technology is currently utilised by more than 20 NSW councils, including City of Sydney, Sutherland Shire and Bayside Councils,
Commencing in February 2026, all timed parking zones in Wollongong, Keiraville, Gwynneville, and parts of Fairy Meadow and North Wollongong will be monitored as part of the trial, including high-trafficked areas along the Blue Mile, CBD carparks, and streets surrounding UOW.
"We all know parking is a hot-button issue and we've seen that again through the Christmas-New Year period," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"We have various plans and strategies aimed at bringing people into our CBD and town centres, be it for work or leisure. Timed parking zones play a vital role in ensuring efficient and fair access to parking in those high-demand locations like the city centre and around UOW.
"We've heard from many residents and business owners in our community that people overstaying in timed parking zones is a major source of frustration, particularly in the locations where we'll be trialling the technology.
"There are around 7,700 parking spaces in our City Centre available for public use and convenient, time-restricted parking near retail areas supports high turnover, helping shoppers park, shop and free up space for the next person.
"While it is just a trial at this stage, if it can provide more consistent and efficient monitoring of parking zones, and allow our staff to do their jobs safely and effectively, it's certainly something we should be looking at.
"The technology is already used by multiple other local councils, and we need to ensure all our systems utilise the best technologies available and are best practice."
Where possible, fines or notifications issued via the electronic management system will continue to be issued in paper form and placed on the offending vehicles. If it's not possible to place the fine on the vehicle at the time, the fine will be posted.
While the trial will capture valuable data regarding driver behaviour and use of timed parking zones, it does not include or propose changes to currently signposted time limits.
The monitoring uses face-blurring technology and will not capture any personal identifiers other than vehicle license plate numbers.
