Parking

We will commence a three-month trial of a new Mobile Licence Plate Recognition (MLPR) technology for parking enforcement within the Port Macquarie CBD. This will replace the manual tyre chalking process that our Rangers currently do.

• What is MLPR technology?

  Mobile Licence Plate Recognition (MLPR) technology uses vehicle-mounted cameras to read licence plates and matches the parked vehicle with the correct signed posted area.

  The MLPR parking enforcement solution will modernise Council’s parking enforcement and traffic management capability, improve compliance, increase turnover to free up car spaces and enhance the safety of our Rangers.

• Why are we transitioning to this new technology?

  The in-ground electronic monitoring system has reached the end of its functional life. Many councils have now moved or are moving towards MLPR technology solutions.

• Why did we go with this option for the trial?

  The MLPR technology is flexible and cost-efficient. In addition, it does not require the installation of sensors in our roads or fixed cameras and associated infrastructure on our paths.

• How would this impact the community?

  There are no changes to current parking regulations. Motorists are still required to follow the signed parking time limits and conditions that apply to each parking area. This does not involve a paid parking scheme.

  You may notice a focus on the Port Macquarie CBD as this is the location of the trial. During the initial phase of the trial period, warnings will be issued where alleged parking offences are detected.

• Does this mean that fines are automatically issued?
  During the initial phase of the trial, vehicles will typically see warning notices advising of an overstay. After the initial phase, the issuing of fines on vehicles will resume.

• Wouldn’t it record faces as well? What happens to images and data captured?

  The technology provider has a face block feature to protect the community’s privacy.

  All data captured through MLPR will be stored securely and accessed only by authorised staff and will be managed according to relevant privacy and data protection laws.

• Does it automatically scan disability permits?
  It does not scan disability stickers, but as part of the process, the rangers still place a physical infringement notice on a vehicle. Before they print the notice, they check the vehicle to see if there are any valid disability permits present.

• What happens if you get a fine? 
  Please refer to the Parking Fines section on this page. You can also visit Revenue NSW for more information.
  
  
• What happens after the trial period?
  Council will review the results of the trial and make a decision on whether to continue with the technology. The community will be advised once a decision has been made.

All parking in our region is free in the Central Business Districts (CBD) areas of Laurieton, North Haven, Port Macquarie, and Wauchope.

Time limits have been set to make sure there’s enough parking for everyone.

Many of the parking spaces in these areas are electronically monitored and our rangers patrol on a regular basis.

Spaces with longer time limits in the Port Macquarie CBD can be found on the Port Macquarie Town Centre Parking Map(PDF, 256KB).  

Parking motorbikes in dedicated motorbike spaces frees up other spaces for other vehicles.

The location of motorbike spaces in the Port Macquarie CBD can be found on the Port Macquarie Town Centre Motorcycle Parking Map(PDF, 2MB). 

Street access and accessible facilities within the Port Macquarie Hastings, including disabled parking spaces, toilets, kerb ramps, ATMs and public transport points are available in this access map(PDF, 452KB).

Disabled drivers with a Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit displayed on the windscreen are entitled to the following parking concessions:   

• when parking is limited by a sign to more than 30 minutes, the vehicle can park all day
• where parking is limited by a sign for 30 minutes, the vehicle can park for 2hrs
• where parking is limited by a sign to less than 30 minutes, the vehicle can park for a maximum of 30 minutes.

You must display the new Australian Disability Parking Permit along with your NSW MPS permit to be eligible for parking concessions. The permit must only be displayed when the vehicle is being used to transport the permit holder. Heavy fines apply for misuse.

Full details regarding obtaining and using MPS permits are available from the Roads and Maritime Service.

We don’t have any dedicated long vehicle car parking spaces, however there are many wide streets that will accommodate a long vehicle.

We are often called upon to help residents when parked cars are restricting residential access and traffic flow.

Use this fact sheet(PDF, 773KB) as a guide to check:

• If a car is parked illegally near or across a driveway
• How close cars can park to an intersection
• If cars can park on both sides of a road
• If signage is being obeyed.

If we can help you resolve an issue, make sure to report it to us.

Report a parking issue

Council is updating the way we issue parking infringements to comply with the NSW Government’s Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Act 2024.

Effective immediately, our Rangers will return to issuing on-the-spot notifications for alleged parking offences. This means if you receive a parking fine, you will generally find a penalty notice or a notification card attached to your vehicle at the time of the offence. In limited circumstances, such as where it is considered unsafe for a Ranger to approach the vehicle, where the vehicle has moved on before the penalty notice or notification can be attached to the vehicle or in specific 'ticketless' enforcement zones (such as enclosed carparks with licence plate recognition), the penalty notice may still be sent directly via mail or email by Revenue NSW.

These changes are designed to improve transparency and fairness for drivers. Key benefits include:

• Immediate Notification: drivers are made aware of the penalty notice instantly, allowing them to collect their own evidence (such as photos of signage) if they wish to seek a review.
• Fairness: receiving a penalty notice at the time of the alleged offence prevents drivers from unknowingly accruing multiple penalty notices for the same offence before receiving the first notification in the mail.
• Continued Safety: while on-the-spot notification is the standard, our Rangers retain the ability to issue fines via mail in situations where their safety may be at risk.
  
  Please note that the penalty notice amount is set by the NSW Government, not Council, and penalty notices themselves cannot be altered or withdrawn once issued.

Paying a fine: Council does not accept payment of penalty notices directly. If you receive a penalty notice, you will need to follow the instructions provided on the penalty notice to pay to fine.

Review and appeals :All requests for review or court elected appeals for alleged parking offences must be made directly to Revenue NSW. Again, you will need to follow the instructions provided on the penalty notice to seek a review or appeal to have the matter heard in court.

Under NSW legislation, councils must publish an annual report on parking enforcement activities.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council issues fines in line with these regulations. In most cases, a notice is attached to the vehicle, but in some situations - such as when it moves before a notice can be attached or it’s unsafe to do so, the notice is sent by mail.

The report provides transparency on fines issued, exemptions applied, and any invalidated fines.

Infringement report - 10 July 2026(PDF, 79KB)
Infringement report - 10 July 2026(XLSX, 40KB)
Infringement report - 12 January 2026(PDF, 80KB)
Infringement report - 12 January 2026(XLSX, 45KB)
Infringement report - 10 October 2025(PDF, 79KB)
Infringement report - 10 October 2025(XLSX, 85KB)