Introducing free parking in the central business district at the weekends in July is being welcomed by Tauranga businesses as a move that puts them on parity with the other city shopping precincts – on weekends.

The Tauranga City Council has decided from July 1 there will be free parking in Tauranga on Saturdays and Sundays in both parking buildings and on the streets.

It's a decision welcomed by Tauranga Mainstreet manager Kirby Weis.

'It's some very good news,” says Kirby.

'We are pleased that councillors voted in support of most of our preferred options for parking.

'We commend the councillors that they listened to our concerns and they voted initiatives that we supported.

'It gives us confidence that we can work with council staff on the operational matters with parking, and progress some initiatives for the betterment of the city centre.”

He credits the change in approach after several years of lobbying to recent workshops attended by councillors, staff and business interests.

'The review of on-street parking charges, just simplified charges, $1 or $2 per hour is excellent as well,” says Kirby.

'It shows they are looking at where we can reduce the cost of parking, supporting us in reviewing some time limits for on-street parking with Mainstreet and the businesses within the city.”

He is hoping for a third workshop before the changes come into effect on July 1.

The parking revenue surplus for the 2009/10 financial year was about $450,000.

In the current financial year the amount is dropping – believed to be a result of the council resolution to extend the waiver period on WOF and rego tickets from one month to two months.

In December 2010, the council resolved to use surplus parking funds to repay debt associated with the parking activity, but at the first parking workshop the majority of councillors indicated they were willing to reconsider.