Council's major road change following clashes with 'aggressive' Aussie parents
Fraser Coast Council is set to install numerous AI cameras on roads outside of schools in busy suburbs.
Numerous illegal parking complaints and clashes with “aggressive” parents have prompted an Aussie council to make a major road change.
In an attempt to tackle growing concerns about the safety of children and residents, fixed cameras will be installed outside three schools on Queensland’s Fraser Coast from next year. The council will implement an Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology trial at the schools as part of its campaign to make school drop-off and pick-up safer, Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott announced this week.
The move comes just a week after an 11-year-old boy was killed when a car crashed into a Melbourne primary school. Four other children were seriously injured.
“Schools are busy areas, especially during peak times where there are often lots of children who may not fully grasp road dangers,” Mr Truscott said.
The council’s parking officers “consistently receives complaints about illegal parking during school terms, creating safety risks for both children and drivers”, he added. Since June, more than 306 general parking complaints have been received — around 77 a month.
“Council rangers patrolling school zones frequently face confrontations with aggressive parents over parking violations. This technology will enhance their safety and boost efficiency in managing these areas,” Mr Truscott said.
“The trial will focus on high-complaint areas to detect and record illegal parking, using AI-powered technology.” The AI cameras will first be installed at St Helens State School in Maryborough at the start of Term 1 next year, followed by Hervey Bay State High and Kawungan State School.
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Parents fume over school parking move
The news has not gone down well with local parents, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations. Numerous people claimed there is a major flaw in the council’s plan — the lack of available parking.
“Would you not upgrade parking, and design better pick up and drop off zones?” one woman wrote.
“I guess I’m getting fined every single day then because there is nowhere near enough parking! If the parks were there, we’d all use them!” another argued.
Others said the move appeared to be a revenue-raising scheme.
Mobile camera vehicle to monitor inner-city parking
The Fraser Coast council will also be implementing new technology to monitor parking offences in its business district.
“Council will also be trialling a SafePark Mobile Camera Vehicle with the aid of mobile camera technology to monitor inner-city areas,” Truscott said.
“This vehicle, driven by a parking officer, includes high-definition cameras, GPS, and a video processing server to record parking non-compliance.
“Captured parking offences will then be reviewed by an authorised officer to determine whether an infringement is warranted. This technology has already proven effective, with councils like Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Logan and Brisbane, already using it with great success.
“Council is also upgrading parking technology at the Hervey Bay Airport with new camera monitoring to enhance safety and comfort for visitors and locals during arrivals and departures."
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