Submission time extended for Takapuna parking policies review

North Shore City Council is proposing changes to parking policies around the central Takapuna business and residential area, and is asking people to comment.

Information on the proposed parking policies is being distributed this month, and business people and residents are asked to let the council's Takapuna Community Board know what they think by April 18.

The council has extended the deadline for the return of submissions to ensure everyone has a chance to have their say, and will also provide information to parkers in the central business district advising of the extension of time. The date for the return of submissions was originally set for March 21.

North Shore City recognises that there are competing demands for kerbside space, and it has undertaken a major review of those needs. Anyone interested is invited to make a written submission to the council, and have their views heard by the Takapuna Community Board.

Senior transport planner, Graeme Read, says the council wants to find a balance between the needs of residents, who expect to have free parking for themselves and visitors outside their homes; business houses, who want half hour parking for customers outside their doors; to all day workers, who like to park close to their work as cheaply as possible.

"What with our need to keep traffic moving in narrower streets, to provide such things as pedestrian crossings and other road markings, and to provide parking for visitors to the beach for example, providing space to suit everyone is a real challenge.

"We hope these new proposals will be better able to address these competing needs," Mr Read says.

Key proposals include:

* Focussing short stay parking in the Central Car Park and near shops

* Providing 60 minutes free and increased charges for long stay in the Central Car Park

* Providing medium stay (120 minutes) on-street parking in the Central Business District (CBD)

* In selected areas of the CBD, provide pay and display 3 to 4 hours

* Focussing the Killarney St car park on long stay parking

* Building a 750 space long stay car park on the gasometer site

* Progressively limiting parking to 120 minutes in residential streets close to the CBD

* Allowing residents on-street parking where justified, and issuing all day permits

* Providing medium stay free parking near Takapuna Beach and Lake Pupuke.

More information can be found on the council's website, http://www.northshorecity/ or by calling Actionline on 486 8600.

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