Orikan Group Pty Ltd has officially withdrawn its request for merger clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding its proposed acquisition of Duncan Technologies Pty Ltd. This decision comes after the ACCC expressed significant concerns about the potential impact on competition within the on-street parking solutions sector in Australia.

The ACCC had previously released a Statement of Issues on December 5, 2024, highlighting that the merger could substantially lessen competition. Both Orikan and Duncan are recognized as two of the largest suppliers in the on-street parking solutions market, with Duncan being a close competitor to Orikan, particularly in the supply of parking meters and enforcement solutions.

ACCC Commissioner Dr. Philip Williams noted that mergers between close competitors can lead to increased market concentration and enhanced market power, which raises the risk of reduced competition. The absence of Duncan as a competitor could potentially lead to higher prices and diminished innovation in the provision of on-street parking services to local councils across Australia.

Furthermore, any increase in costs for councils from parking solution providers could ultimately affect consumers. The ACCC initiated its public review of the proposed acquisition on September 2, 2024, and conducted thorough inquiries into the merger's potential competition impacts. However, the review was discontinued on May 9, 2025, after Orikan confirmed the termination of its acquisition proposal.

On-street parking services encompass a variety of products and services, including parking meters, enforcement software, sensors, parking apps, and central management systems. Local councils are the primary customers of these services, while consumers are the end-users who may be impacted by any reduction in competition.