Flat Chat Strata Forum Parking Peeves Current Page

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  • #7676
    KB

      Has anyone explored technological solutions to all of the standard parking issues experienced in a large apartment complex?

      My OC has a car park with around 250 spaces, including about 50 visitor spaces.  Naturally we experience all of the usual unauthorised parking on common property and abuse of visitor spaces.  We are now looking at the possibility of how to use technology to control the parking.

      Our car park is an underground secure car park accessed via security card.  We have roller doors which are quite slow, meaning it is quite simple to tailgate another car into the car park.

      The visitor parking system is currently run by our building manager, who charges a minimal fee to receive a key to unlock a bollard in a visitor space.  Without going into details, that system has been proven to be sub-optimal.

      We are now considering installing an additional security/payment system that controls entry/exit more diligently, and provides rental fees to the OC rather than the building manager.

      The systems we are looking at are similar to systems becoming fashionable in commercial car parks, including boom gates, ticket machines, licence plate recognition cameras, cashless payment systems operated online or accessed via mobile phones etc.

      It is becoming obvious to us that no system is going to be foolproof (people will always find a way to get free parking if they can), or fully address our various issues.  The other problem is the great expense that we are currently being quoted for proposed solutions – think north of $100k.

      We're continuing with our due diligence and research, and I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through a similar process that might be able to offer any advice from their experience.

      I appreciate anyone's assistance!

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    • #13844
      Jimmy-T
      Keymaster

        Did I just read that correctly?  Your building manager charges for the use of visitor spaces? I would want to have a look at that right away – I'm not even sure if that's allowed.

        That aside, I wonder if a simple double gate “air-lock” solution might solve many of your problems, preferably with a boom before the gate so that the boom has to be down behind the entering vehicle before the gate opens. I know at least one building in Sydney that uses a system like that.

        If space doesn't allow, I'm sure there are other technical solutions that would be a lot less than 100K.

        The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
        #13848
        KB

          Yes, it makes most people do a double take when they first hear of it.  For some reason a previous Exec Committee decided that in implementing a more enforceable visitor parking system (lockable bollards), it would be appropriate for the building manager to keep the 'admin fee' that is charged to visitors for the use of the spaces.  A by-law was passed some years ago.

          Since this could be as much as $40k per year, the current Exec has decided it might not be appropriate after all that the building manager is profiting so nicely off OC assets.  At the very least that would be quite a nice way of reducing strata fees or enhancing the complex on an ongoing basis.

          I know $100k sounds like a lot (it does to me too) but our initial investigations haven't revealed any other alternatives that are considerably cheaper.  These companies usually sell to commercial operations who are willing and able to pay prices like that, since they'll recoup those costs quite quickly, so it just looks like that is where the market pricing currently is.  I'd be happy to hear any other suggestions that people might have.

          Jimmy, are you able to pass on contact details for the Sydney building that uses that system you mentioned?  I'd love to have a chat to them about how successful it's been for them.

          #13876
          KB

            Hi Jimmy, can you please let me know the details of the Sydney building that uses the 'air-lock' system you mentioned, please?  Thanks.

            #13877
            Jimmy-T
            Keymaster

              The one I'm thinking of is the Encore building at 21 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay, NSW 2011.  Write to the chairman of the Executive Committee at that address and I'm sure he'll tell you how it works.

              The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
              #13947
              gcelec
              Flatchatter

                The Bennelong Apartments in Macquarie St use this system (The Toaster).

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