Council Gauges Residential Support For Parking Trials

Residents in parts of Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay and Mt Eden, will soon be asked to consider proposals to improve parking on their streets.

Auckland City has today sent out over 5,000 letters to residents in these areas, asking whether they support a series of proposals, aimed at addressing the problem of all day parking in their streets.

The proposals, which affect a total of 48 streets across the 3 suburbs, would require significant support from each street before Auckland City introduces them on a 6 month trial basis.

Chairwoman of the Council’s Transport and Roading Committee, Catherine Harland, says that the proposals are the result of detailed research.

“The proposals that we have on the table have come about through surveys and detailed investigation, including a number of workshop meetings with affected local people. So, the result so far offers a well considered approach to what is a complex and emotive issue.”

If the proposals are supported by residents, time restrictions would be introduced in residential streets where over 70 per cent of the on-street space was found to be regularly parked out. In these areas, parking could be limited to 1 or 2 hours during the busiest hours between 8am and 6pm. However, in some streets where demand is high, and a large number residents do not have off-street parking, residents would be exempt from restrictions, with each household receiving 1 exemption permit. No fees would be charged for the permit during the trial period.

The proposals differ from street to street, and are dependent on factors such as demand for on street parking throughout the day, availability of off-street parking, and proximity to retail or commercial development.

Councillor Harland says that the proposals aim to reflect the particular needs and problems of individual streets, rather than adopting a blanket – ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Residents who live within the trial area have until 4pm, 8 December to indicate whether they support the Council’s proposal or not. Results from each street will analysed and form the basis of a report to February’s meeting of the Transport & Roading Committee.

If a significant proportion of residents support the proposal, then a six month trial will begin in that street during next year. Council officers will monitor the area during this period, and after 6 months, undertake a full evaluation before making a decision about whether or not to install the measures permanently.

ENDS

For more information contact Councillor Catherine Harland, tel: 636-8464
or Denis Mander, Principal Transport Planner, tel: 307 7535.

© Scoop Media