Parking revenue came in for the Dunedin City Council at Albany St when time restrictions could not be enforced.
The council said it received about $2000 worth of paid parking charges through meters and the PayMyPark app for carpark spaces that were unenforceable from October 31.
It did not say whether motorists might be entitled to refunds.
The situation arose in relation to the Albany Street Connection project, ahead of construction of a cycleway, loss of carparks in the street and other changes.
There has been some confusion about charging and enforcement before the changes come in.
Council transport group manager Jeanine Benson said it took time to deactivate meters in the area and PayMyPark could not be deactivated for one part of one street.
“The individual payments are small, involving a few dollars each,” she said.
“Motorists who used the parking spaces still received the service they were paying for, and many who also regularly park in the area are now able to park there for free in the meantime.
“Refunds would be administratively expensive to arrange, but anyone wanting to discuss the situation is welcome to call our customer services team.”
The Otago Daily Times asked if closure of enforcement loopholes was imminent.
Ms Benson said it was.
“Staff will implement enforceable parking restrictions either through installation of signs and markings, or through temporary traffic management, in the near future.”
The Albany Street Connection project has been described by the council as providing a safe walking and cycling connection between the harbour shared pathway Te Aka Ōtākou and Dunedin’s tertiary education area and central city.
The council voted against approving associated parking changes in August, and reversed this call a month later. This month, the council decided to continue with the full project after tenders came in above budget.
Ms Benson said project work had paused while staff awaited the outcome of this month’s vote.
“The changes we needed to introduce take time and the situation was complicated by the decision-making process around the project,” Ms Benson said.
When tenders opened last month, the council indicated construction could start in January.
There was no news yet on the signing of a contract or any revised start date.