Motorists are expected to wait at least another week before the parking meters that were raided in an overnight smash and grab will be replaced.
Last Monday, five parking meters were ripped from the ground in 1st Ave between Cameron Rd and Devonport Rd. Each machine, located toward the west end of the street, was pried open and nearly $800 in cash from inside was stolen.
Tauranga City Council communications advisor Marcel Currin said the cost of replacing the meters was about $47,000. With the addition of installation costs, the total cost to replace the machines was likely to be about $55,000, Mr Currin said.
''Once the new meters arrive, they will be tested and commissioned,'' he said.
''The process to install the parking machines is pretty quick, assuming the preparation work is done ahead of time.''