Free parking in the Tauranga city centre on Saturdays is being scrapped and replaced with an hourly rate regime.
Tauranga City Council made the decision to scrap Saturday's free parking yesterday with transportation manager Martin Parkes saying it wasn't bringing any more people into the central city.
From Easter 2013 parking in the city will be based on a one-off payment with no time restriction.
It has also decided remove all one hour and two hour time limits and replace them with a fixed hourly rate, with a higher rate paid for main retail precinct parking.
The new parking regime will take effect from Easter 2013. Free parking will remain on Sundays.
The city is to be divided into three zones where parking will cost $3, $2 or $1 an hour for as long as people like.
The premium $3 an hour zone will include Devonport Road, Elizabeth Street between Devonport and Grey Street, Willow Street and The Strand to Hamilton Street.
The $2 zone is First Ave, Elizabeth Street at the IRD end, and the Cameron Road end, Durham Street, Spring Street, Wharf Street – except for between Willow Street and The Strand.
The $1 and hour zone is Second Ave, Cameron Road, Hamilton Street and Harington Street.
The Easter 2013 changeover is partly due to an alteration to the council Traffic and Parking Bylaw, which will have to be advertised.
TCC says removing time limits creates an easier to use and simpler system determined by parking price.
Martin says people will no longer have to seek out a parking space with a time limit that suits their need giving more flexibility to determine where they wish to park based on how much they are prepared to pay.
'They can stay as long as they want as long as they pay the price.”
He says council survey feedback shows people want a transparent, simple system.
'If we present people with a simpler system then I think we will get more out of it.”
The 15 minute time limit will remain outside the Post Office in Grey Street, says Martin.
Councillors also commented the $3 an hour regime will drive more cars into the parking buildings, which currently owe the city $4.9 million.
Car parking earned $608,949 in 2010/11 all of which was used to pay off the debt.
The change to pricing priority is expected to increase council parking revenue from central city streets by $132,000 per year, based on present occupancy.
A bid for a percentage of the parking income to be spent on improving the central city for pedestrians failed.
Councillors requested budgets be prepared for safety upgrades and amenity upgrades, as well as a suggestion some of the income be spent on marketing and promotions.
There will still be free Saturday parking in the parking buildings and in the off-street parking lots.
32 comments
WHAT??????
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:00 | By penguin
1. So how does this fit with the 50metre/must move/30 minute regime that was recently announced? 2. If people aren't tempted by FREE parking, then I am sure they will be tempted by having TO PAY - YEAH RIGHT! 3. Best of luck - suburban shopping has increased its appeal! 4. Anyone else got any stupid ideas?
are they for real
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:05 | By Johnney
Martin Parkes says free parking on Saturdays wasn't bringing in any more people. What does he think charging them will do. Common sense tells me it will just drive them away. Good luck!!
..
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:10 | By Bassist
Yet another nail in the coffin of the CDB, Well done you muppets.
Too late?
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:24 | By Persephone
Maybe the free parking on Saturdays didn't bring more people into the CBD because they have already found alternative places to do their shopping...
Stupid Idea
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:41 | By Cruisy Suzy
What another stupid idea! Thought they were trying to get more people to shop in town? May as well shop at Bayfair where parking is free.
It'll keep....
Posted on 19-12-2012 12:59 | By Batty
even more out of CBD....Where are their brains.......?
Just as I thought....
Posted on 19-12-2012 13:47 | By wreck1080
The problem with the central city is economic decline, not parking charges. Sure, the CBD competes with malls, but, if there were enough high value commercial businesses in the city then the workers would be enough to ensure CBD retail strength. The Tauranga economy is stuttering, young people are leaving, businesses are shutting down if anything. Auckland (maybe Christchurch with the pending rebuild) or Aussie are where you want to be if you are young and want a hopeful future.
What's the agenda?
Posted on 19-12-2012 15:44 | By nerak
Is there one, to "kill off Tauranga"? Because it sure as hell is happening. This town isn't dying, it's dead. Used to be a real pleasant place, downtown. No energy there now. Go to Christchurch, Dunedin, both are pumping positivity, despite what Christchurch has been through. A madhouse in Dunedin with a cruise ship in, now $15 courtesy of Tourism BOP to come off the boat to Tauranga, a total rip off. What is this council up to? One thing is obvious, they don't give a damn about the people who live in this town, that's why folk are leaving, not just the young. The whole place has become unaffordable. Ratepayers of this sick city need to find out why our once lovely area is no longer what it was.
Bloody Hopeless
Posted on 19-12-2012 15:48 | By Jitter
Roll on the next TCC election. More bad advice from TCC staff. This a real flip flop council. They are like youing children who cannot make up their minds. When they have to make any decision they might as well just toss a coin. Trouble is within five minutes they change their minds back again. No business acumen between TCC councillors or the senior staff. Unbelievable.
Seriously.........
Posted on 19-12-2012 15:56 | By Donnaw
you really have to wonder if these clowns making these decisions are on drugs......
Good 1 TDC
Posted on 19-12-2012 16:35 | By firemansam
yes like other comments well done TDC you know the best way to drive even more people away from the CDB, the likes of Bay Fair and Frazer Cove will be clapping there hands even more as they have free parking, But again TDC its all about $$$$ for you and no one ulse matters.
Posted on 19-12-2012 16:38 | By whatsinaname
good way to keep people out of the CBD. i never go down there now. only if i have to for lawyer apt. come on TGA city council.thought you suppost to be encouraging people to CBD not chasing them away
Wake Up
Posted on 19-12-2012 17:21 | By Justaratepayer
What is this fixation with the cost of parking??? Must be the cheapest parking in any CBD in the world!! And...here's a thought....you could catch a bus.
ex sat cbd shopper
Posted on 19-12-2012 17:52 | By katlodge
We have regularly gone in to do our shopping on saturdays wont bother now....and considering there is a suplus in the coffers?! theives! please people take a note of the council thats in this time and vote for new people next election !!!
dumb idea
Posted on 19-12-2012 19:09 | By sangrae
over the last few eekends it has been almost immpossibli to get a park in the cbd. what planet is Mr PARKES ON OBVIOUSLY not in Tauranga cbd
Poor decisions abound
Posted on 19-12-2012 21:11 | By South
As if reintroducing the Saturday parking and increasing parking fees wasn't insulting enough, I doubt that anyone will bother changing the designated mobility parking spaces to at least be close to a meter machine. When you're disabled, walking downhill 4 car spaces to buy a ticket, then walking 4 spaces back up the hill to put it on the dashboard, then walk all the way back down again to do your shopping right beside it shows a stupidity that takes the cake even for TCC administrators. Every mobility park should be right beside a ticket machine. Maybe the difference isn't particularly noticeable until you can't walk much any more but those expensive "consultants" hired to nut out simple details like that are paid to know better, so why don't they?
Roll on the next.....
Posted on 19-12-2012 21:57 | By Batty
elections...New blood with some sense next time round.
Greedy council
Posted on 20-12-2012 21:46 | By Blogger
Council just wants money, I haven't shopped in town with paid parking for 5 years because of the hassle. Fraser cove and bayfair win hands down. There is nothing in town I can't get elsewhere. My first trip into town with new baby, I left her asleep in car seat while I walked 1 car away to buy a parking ticket, only to be set upon by people who thought I had abandoned her. Like I had enough to carry without carrying a baby seat too for a stupid ticket to put back in the car.
@ BLOGGER
Posted on 21-12-2012 09:16 | By YOGI
It is not a "want" it is in fact desperation to grab every dollar, it is a like gravy train and common sense has nothing to do with it.
Money Hungry
Posted on 22-12-2012 10:34 | By nzfireman
Typical council wanting money for themselves and not thinking about the Tauranga retailers. Off to Fraser Cove and the mount again!!!
WHAT A JOKE! FREE?
Posted on 26-12-2012 23:04 | By Crash test dummies
No such luck, offering something for free is a clayton's freebee and of course the only time it is offered for free is when no one in there to use it.
FREE PARKING REINTRODUCED?
Posted on 28-12-2012 12:03 | By Crash test dummies
In the State Arcade building, just dont stay there to long as the NZ Police will then be wanting you ...
Money hungry.
Posted on 02-01-2013 08:39 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Like taking away the free parking is going to bring any more people into Tauranga CBD! It is DEAD nowadays anyway. Mainly cafe's and fast food places, what a joke. Why would I pay to park my car in town, I'd rather park for free at fraser cove whom have better retailers anyway!
CBD
Posted on 02-01-2013 12:16 | By Wonkytonk
What is a CBD? like most people we shop online, CBD businesses need to look at there prices thats why we dont shop there. Stop blaming parking, its cheap!! CBD is for office staff, coffee and food places...!
CAR PARKING IN THE CBD
Posted on 02-01-2013 16:40 | By YOGI
It has gone and now we have a tent on ice instead, can not figure that out yet!
NEW UP MARKET CITY
Posted on 03-01-2013 11:20 | By YOGI
A tent on the waterfront that will really bring in the high rollers.
VIBRANT WATERFRONT
Posted on 04-01-2013 11:29 | By YOGI
Includes a large tent! How does that fit with the stated plan to "bring in high class young professionals" by having a "vibrant waterfront"? The plan here is very much hidden on how "tent city" adds to that plan. An ACC accident is waiting to happen from the scates fingers are easy meat as they are really sharp.
ONE FLES OVER THE CUCKOO 'S NEST
Posted on 04-01-2013 12:00 | By KAMIKAZE
Complete and utter madness and to think we employ these bureaucratic wombles @ hundreds and thousands of $ pa to come up with these inane born to fail schemes.For gods sake give them the don't come Monday (DCM)cards before they do any further damage.
@ KAMIKAZE
Posted on 04-01-2013 20:23 | By PLONKER
Not a cuckoo, but a 'crazy'.
UP MARKET WATERFRONT?
Posted on 05-01-2013 11:54 | By PLONKER
Smack in the middle of it all is a tent ... no wonder they delayed the bylaw about freelance free loading campers as the TCC wanted to have the last fling here and set the tone for the new face of the CBD. It would be best that the grassy knole just created become a camping ground, that would have benefit at Easter as well as the summer holidays. For the rest of the year it can be a car park again.
Council outta touch
Posted on 07-01-2013 08:40 | By wonkidonki
This council is way out of touch with the public...Mayor S should GO !
PARKING BUILDING
Posted on 15-01-2013 12:50 | By YOGI
It is open to 11pm and free after 7pm but most people and shops are closed at 5pm and Council staff all go home about 3pm so the place is empty.
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