An unexpected $120,000 has been raked in by the Ashburton District Council for parking fines, despite a lower number of infringements.
Figures reveal the value of parking infringements exceeded the district council’s annual budget by $124,567 in 2024-2025, following government enforced price increases in October.
The total amount taken in was $574,217, up from $502,513 in 2023-2024.
But the number of infringements issued was 6100; 35 fewer than the previous year.
Compliance and development group manager Ian Hyde said the district council’s budget was set before the government-enforced price increases.
The district council figures showed since the changes came in, 44 people were fined for illegally parking in a disabled car park. The fine is $750, up from $150.
About 2000 people were fined $200 for not displaying a current WOF. The $200 fine had not changed from what it was previously.
About 1100 people were caught exceeding a 30-minute park, a $20 fine that was previously $12.
Meanwhile, the budgeted total for tickets in 2025-2026 is $328,393. But Hyde said the estimated value of tickets issued based on this year’s ticket numbers was estimated to be about $590,000.
“It must be noted that once tickets go to court, we only get paid when the Ministry of Justice receive payment,” Hyde said.
“There will always be a timing issue in the accounts due to the timing of payment of the court fine portion.”
That also meant the amount issued would not always equate to revenue received.
