A Port Otago and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi-led project would have resulted in the loss of eight carparks in front of the Port Chalmers Library to enable a pedestrian crossing to be shifted further down Beach St.
When the plan to remove the parks first came to light in January, residents were angry about a lack of consultation and the effect the loss of parks could have on people accessing the community asset.
Eventually, NZTA indicated it was reviewing the project and would address the community’s concern.
West Harbour Community Board chairwoman Ange McErlane said the board had received an email from the council saying the plan to remove the carparks in front of the library had been scrapped.
She said it took Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham to step in and voice the community’s woes.
Ms McErlane was among those frustrated the council only consulted the community in relation to time limits for some parks in the area and not their removal.
Most Port Chalmers residents took the opportunity to complain they were going to lose the parks instead.
"Council really just hadn’t thought it through in terms of practicality.
"To wrangle little children and an arm full of books and cross the main road which is a five or or six-way intersection just wouldn’t work because we have heavy traffic here."
A council spokesman confirmed NZTA had revised its plans for the area, which meant the parking changes were no longer required.
Ms McErlane said people also used the spaces to access the town hall for weddings and funerals and it was ideal parking for a variety of different things.
Resident Anna High, who is among those who fought the changes, said although she was pleased feedback from the community had finally been heard, she was concerned consultation about the changes was not done in good faith.
"It was very frustrating for it to be presented as ‘we are consulting you’ and then to see they weren’t consulting on the main changes, they were just consulting on the time limit.
"That doesn’t seem like a good-faith effort to consult to me."
Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said he was unaware of any changes and referred the Otago Daily Times to NZTA.
NZTA did not respond to detailed questions from the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
However, in a response from last week it said it was supportive of two key changes proposed by Port Otago.
The first was minor kerb changes near a port exit, and also the removal of the pedestrian crossing island — if it was required.
The second was a gravel footpath in front of the port’s new building.
