About the i-Park Parking System
Who is i-Park?
Auckland-based New Zealand owned and operated Harding Traffic is a specialist Intelligent Traffic Management company within the traffic industry and engaged in the parking services procurement process with Rotorua Lakes Council. i-Park (Innovative Parking Solutions Ltd) is a sister company.
Harding focuses on the assembly, supply and installation of intelligent traffic management systems while i-Park focuses on delivering services.
Harding installed the technical solution, but i-Park is responsible for service delivery and the operation of the system.
Why has Council chosen to work with i-Park?
i-Park terminals are state of the art and are offered with touch screen capability.
i-Park also provides specialist licence plate-recognition parking enforcement software that interfaces with the parking terminals and other systems and manages the enforcement process. It provides a seamless interface with the Ministry of Justice e-filing system and with New Zealand Transport Agency vehicle registry. It also provides an online portal for anyone needing to view, pay or request further consideration of an infringement.
This level of solution makes the service as efficient as possible therefore enabling i-Park to offer the solution as cost-effectively as possible to the Council.
Why did Council change its parking services?
The demand for parking will continue to increase and predicted economic and population growth in Rotorua will continue to expand this need.
Council upgraded the parking system to provide an effective, modern, and cost-efficient service to the community. The parking system improves consistency of service across the city and improves turnover of parking spaces so that car parks are less difficult to find. This in turn supports local businesses who have struggled in the past with patrons being unable to locate a car park outside of their business due to cars being parked in free parking spaces all day.
The previous parking system used obsolete coin-operated meters that were expensive to operate and maintain, as well as being labour-intensive to monitor. This dated technology contributed to low enforcement rates and lost revenue.
Why have parking restrictions?
Successful urban centres depend heavily on the availability of well-operated and demand-balanced parking facilities.
Restrictions enable the fair rationing of limited spaces to give everyone equal access to wherever they want to go.
Enforcement ensures parking spaces are managed for the collective good of residents, businesses and visitors, ensuring equity, minimising abuse of restrictions such as time limits, safety provisions and designated spaces (eg, disability and delivery parking).
What is the benefit of the i-Park technology to ratepayers?
It is the responsibility of i-Park to keep the services operational and to deliver the services as per its agreement with the Council. Council did not need to pay an estimated $2 million to modernise and invest in technology and the maintenance, operation and upkeep of that technology.
Revenue collection will improve through better compliance because the technology allows more consistent, and efficient and effective enforcement options.
i-Park is responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the specialist technology, which means Council funds can be directed to other community services.
How was the partnership decision made?
A wide range of options were tested through a systematic process which involved early market involvement of the specialist parking services sector. The possible options were carefully analysed. This was followed by a staged procurement programme to identify the most suitable specialist parking services partner.
In December 2017 Council approved awarding the contract to manage all parking services within the Rotorua District to Auckland-based Harding Traffic Limited. The Chief Executive was delegated the authority to negotiate the final terms of a contract.
How does the contract work?
i-Park will be paid a monthly fee to provide parking services on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council.
i-Park will invest in the new parking infrastructure that will replace current meters and pay-and-display technology.
Council will receive the parking revenue and will continue to set the policy including the prices for parking.
Do other Councils charge for public parking?
Yes. There is a range of systems operating around the country including pay by plate, pay by space and pay-and-display. Free parking and some paid parking areas are generally time limited, after which an infringement will be issued.
