Businesses in the southern end of Horton Street and in William Street have noticed fewer motorists parking near their shops.

They say time pressure means businesses are losing out. Businesses say the answer is a time limit extension to two hours.

The time zones were unchanged with the introduction of more than 600 CBD sensors in all one-hour zones and 24 two-hour spots to increase turnover of prized parking spots.

Laing + Simmons licensee Chris Koch said there were empty parking spots everywhere.

“It is meant to bring people to town, but it’s scaring people out of town,” he said.

More than 30 businesses signed a petition in one day in support of the two-hour zone.

Peter Budgen, from Budgen & Partners Chartered Accountants, says a two-hour time zone is the way to go.

He said one-hour time limits simply did not provide enough time for clients, particularly the elderly.

But the council’s development and environmental services director Matt Rogers said the council engaged in almost 12 months of community consultation to develop its revised parking strategy before the parking sensors were implemented in Port Macquarie CBD.

“One of the short-term actions approved in this strategy was to review existing parking time limits within the town centre and implement change where necessary to improve efficiency,” he said.

Trendz Beauty and Training massage therapist Tess Wright says the one-hour limit robbed the relaxation from a one-hour massage.

Beantree Cafe owner Suelen Bulmer said businesses fed off each other, and the one-hour limit simply did not give people enough time to shop.

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Rob Turner supports a time zone review.

“The sensors themselves probably aren’t the problem, it’s the time limits more so,” he said.

The parking sensors are one measure in the council’s parking strategy and the chamber wants to ensure the rest of the strategy is implemented.

Mr Rogers said a trial of parking sensors in 2010 resulted in 105 sensor units being installed through Horton and Hay streets.

Mr Rogers said businesses and the public indicated an improvement in parking compliance during the trial.

This in turn increased parking turnover and improved traffic flow.

He said the council recognised the importance of ensuring a constant turnover of parking spaces in time restricted parking areas.

“Since the implementation of the parking sensors, there have been no changes to the time limits of parking within the Port Macquarie CBD, rather an increase in compliance with timed parks designed to change driver behaviour,” Mr Rogers said.

Meanwhile,

Customer comments on the petition include “fair break for businesses”, “not long enough for a meal”, and “save our businesses equals save our local jobs”.

Businesses have collected more than 200 signatures since Friday.

The petition is available to sign at various businesses at the southern end of Horton St and William Street.