Using Parking Meters

Using a Coin and Card Meter

If you have a session already, you will need to wait for that session to complete before you can start a new session. If there are no current sessions, then:

1. press any key to start
2. enter your vehicle's registration number
3. select OK, and then either:
   1. for 15-minute free parking:
      1. select 15 mins free
      2. select confirm free
   2. to pay by coin:
      1. select coin
      2. insert coins to add parking time up to the maximum allowed
   3. to pay by card:
      1. select card
      2. use the arrows to select the time you need, then OK
      3. hold your card over the payWave symbol until the card has been read (there will be a 'beep' and a screen notification of this)
4. further information around your ticket will appear on the screen
5. make a personal note of when your session will finish to ensure you do not get a parking infringement.

Using a Card Only Meter

If you have a session already, you will need to wait for that session to complete before you can start a new session. If there are no current sessions, then:

1. tap and hold on the screen to begin
2. select Start
3. enter your vehicle's licence registration number
4. select Next
5. for 15 minute free parking
   1. select 15 Minutes Free Parking
6. for longer parking
   1. choose Paid Parking
   2. move the slider to the parking session length required
   3. select Next
   4. hold your card over the payWave symbol until the card has been read (there will be a 'beep' and a screen notification of this)
   5. wait for the green tick to show that your payment has been successful
   6. further information around your ticket will appear on the screen
   7. select Done to finish.
7. make a personal note when your session will finish to ensure you do not get a parking infringement.

15 Minutes Free Parking

You have the option of selecting just a 15 minute free session if you are staying less than 15 minutes.

If you are staying longer, you can select the time you will be staying and 15 minutes will be applied at the end of the session.

Ensure that you note when your session will finish, as enforcement will occur after the 15 minute grace period.

Payment

Selected meters in 2P zones accept coins or cards. In 4P and 8P zones payments are only accepted via card transactions. The minimum charge is $1 for cards and 10 cents for coins.

You can use your card with Google Pay and Wallet, but not with Apple Pay.

Retrieving Your Receipt

If you are at a 2P zone coin machine, you are required to enter your receipt code into My Parking Ticket to receive an emailed receipt. The receipt number will appear on the screen just after the payment is processed. You need to record this to be able to obtain your receipt from the website.

If you are at a meter that accepts cards only, you can either:

1. scan a QR code to bring up your receipt in which you can receive an emailed receipt, or
2. enter the receipt code online at My Parking Ticket.

If you are unable to retrieve the receipt code online, take note of your licence plate number, as well as the date and time of your parking session and contact a SERVE Centre so that we can raise an information request for you.

Checking Remaining Time

The time remaining on your parking meter can be found by returning to the meter that you paid with.

At a coin and card meter:

1. tap the information button
2. tap the parking icon (a car with P)
3. enter your vehicle licence number
4. the screen will now show your time remaining.

At a card-only meter:

1. enter your vehicle licence number
2. the screen will now show your time remaining.

If you have not exceeded the maximum signed parking time, you can also top-up the meter to extend the parking session.

An infringement occurs when you haven’t started your paid parking session at the meter or when you exceed the time restrictions in that zone (for example, staying for 3 hours in a 2P zone).

If you want to continue parking in the city past the signed time restriction, you will need to move your car and start a new session on a meter at the new location.

Vehicle Registration Numbers

You must enter the correct vehicle registration number when commencing a parking session.

Council require access to and use of vehicle registration numbers for compliance purposes. We can determine payments and infringements by linking the vehicle registration number with the payment technology, rather than walking from car to car to observe such transactions. Whenever an infringement occurs, it must be accompanied by a vehicle registration number. Council is not collecting or disclosing any of your personal information.

Glossary

2P

A parking space with 2 hours maximum paid parking.

4P

A parking space with 4 hours maximum paid parking

8P

A parking space with 8 hours maximum paid parking.

Licence plate number

Your vehicle registration number.

Parking session

Time tracked parking within the Townsville Parking app.

Regulated parking space (parking space)

Marked on-street parking bays with parking control signs.

Zone

A set parking area with parking spaces.