Australian company CellOPark won the tender to implement 146 new parking meters, to replace 200 aging metres, and the provision of a new ticket payment phone app and licence plate recognition technology.

A media spokesperson for the council said the "full implementation" of the parking technology was expected in early 2020.

"Car parking inspectors will no longer "chalk and walk" once this roll out is completed as the number plate recognition will take its place," the spokesperson said.

The tender was awarded in-camera at the September 11 council meeting, with nine other proposals considered.

The licence plate recognition cameras will be affixed to new council vehicles, specifically bought for the purpose of checking if vehicles have overstayed in parking spots. Existing City of Ballarat staff trained in the technology will drive the new cars.

CellOPark's parking app vaunts that drivers will be 'only charged for the exact time you park'. Drivers select the zone on their phone app and start the parking meter, or can call the system from their mobile phone. Once a person has finished parking, they can stop the session on their app or again call the same number.

CellOPark offers a 'premium account' for $1.99 per month, if a user parks in a Ballarat spot during that month. The paid account will provide a push reminder via the app to move your car, or can remind you if you haven't stopped the parking session.

READ MORE: BALLARAT PARKING TICKET MACHINES MALFUNCTION

In a press release posted online, City of Ballarat stated while the specific cost of the technology was 'commercial in confidence', the contract price was within the $1.6 million allocated for car parking in the 2019/2020 budget.

"Ten companies tendered for the City of Ballarat contract, with CellOPark considered the most cost effective option while also offering a fully integrated system that will integrate with Council's current software," the press release said.

READ MORE: BALLARAT'S NEW PARKING PLAN

It is believed that the new app technology and move to machines without tickets will save around 20,000 non-recyclable tickets each year. The council noted there could be advantages to transparent parking fine management and e-permits thanks to the move to new technology.

City of Ballarat was expected to announce the details of the technology last week, but The Courier understands the council's media team delayed it as they dealt with under an additional workload from responding to social media queries about the city's changes to recycling.

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