15 June 2004

Council car park charging trial in Henderson

Three Waitakere City Council car parks in Henderson are the subjects of a Pay and Display trial, starting from early July.

The car parks will be upgraded and provided with extra security measures, patrols, lighting and landscaping to create safer places for people to park.

The trial is part of a sustainable approach to traffic management to start getting people to contribute to the real cost of driving and parking in the town centre and to relieve traffic congestion.

The three car parks in the trial are the Falls (130 spaces), Corban Hill (57 spaces) and the north end of the Alderman Drive/Edmonton Rd car park (72 spaces). There will be a flat fee of $3 for all day parking from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Fridays. .

“The Council needs to find the best way to set the right market conditions and test how charging affects travel behaviour. We have to consider new ways of thinking about parking to encourage more development,” says Chair of the Finance and Operational Committee Councillor Janet Clews.

“Charge car parking by Councils is a strategy which can create an environment where the private sector can supply parking services. Charging for car parks on the town centre periphery (normally used by workers) leaves the inner core available for short term parking by shoppers,” says Mrs Clews.

The charge car parking trial will be managed by a private operator Care Park New Zealand Ltd for up to two years.

The car parking initiative is part of a Council strategy to create a more liveable city for the future, by managing demand for parking and creating opportunities for development. The greatest impact is likely to be on all day parkers who up till now have not paid for parking in Henderson. However the charge compares very favourably with those in other city centres and offsetting the charges is the benefit of increased security and access to the car parks.

ENDS

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