We are used to seeing signs limiting the time we may park in shopping centre carparks - but have we ever heard of anyone being fined for overstaying ?
It seems to be a big bluff aimed at discouraging those who park - and hop on a train for a days visit to Sydney or any activity other than actually shopping at that centre.
Now we have a new system gradually being adopted by those businesses whose customer car parks are very attractive to drivers wishing to attend nearby sporting events, cinemas or functions for which street parking is limited.
All users are now required to obtain a ticket from a machine placed near the entrance - and display it on the car's dashboard.
This ticket records the time parking commenced and allows a free parking period - which varies according to the type of business involved. For instance, parking is free at McDonalds for forty-five minutes, the maximum it would take to consume a " Big Mac ", fries and a coke.
People intending to stay longer are required to insert a coin and gain a ticket as a receipt for payment of the extended parking time. This too must be displayed on the vehicles dashboard.
Presumably some sort of parking inspector will be involved, circulating in the car park and seeing that there is no illegal parking - and issuing fines to those who ignore or break these regulations.
It raises some interesting questions on the legal aspect of these arrangements. The owner of a car park has the right to make a charge for parking, but there are rules that must be met as far as signage is concerned.
This system has had a bad press in other cities - with claims that fines have been issued to legally parked cars as a means of revenue raising, with the onus of proof shifted back to the car owner.
Drivers are urged to treat this system with caution - and seek legal advice if faced with a fine claim they feel is not warranted !
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