MOTORISTS using the Moonee Valley Council-managed car park at the Moonee Ponds K-Mart have been receiving fines, even after moving their cars within the car park complex.
The car park has spaces with a three-hour time limit, but a number of motorists have been moving their cars within the complex thinking the three hours started again in a new car spot.
Aberfeldie resident Vivian said she used the car park when using the Sam Merrifield Library.
She said she moved her car to a new space, thinking she was giving herself another three hours, but was fined by the council when she came back.
A standard parking fine is $73.
Council director of corporate services Anthony Smith said inspectors could work out when a car had left the complex by assessing the tyre marks.
"Council officers mark one of the car tyres and document the time the car was parked.
"When a car is moved within the car park, the marking does not wear off due to the sealed surface in the complex - when the car is driven out of the car park, the marking is rubbed off," Mr Smith said.
Vivian said the parking restrictions had become more about being a "money spinner" for council and not about ensuring enough spaces for shoppers.
"The council can't on the one hand encourage people to come down and shop locally and use their services then turn around and do this."
Mr Smith said the council's focus when enforcing parking restrictions was to improve parking availability, which had resulted in a reduction in parking infringements in 2011-12.
Parking enforcement generated $3.4 million for the council in 2010-11, compared to $3.3 million in 2011-12.