An overall reduction of more than 100 carparks across the city was lamented by Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich and several councillors were worried about motorists having reduced access to shops.
There was also some scepticism at the council’s infrastructure services committee meeting yesterday about the value of double bus stops — such as the one outside Knox Church — but councillors were told they helped keep traffic flowing.
However, the parking arrangement in the recently reopened Knox block is not quite settled, as it is subject to review.
An intersection that allows a left turn for light traffic from Pitt St into the Knox block, after the intersection appeared to be designed to prevent such a turn, is also being studied.
Overall, there are more than 300 changes, mostly carried out for safety reasons, such as preventing parking in streets where it causes problems.
Infrastructure services committee chairman Cr Jim O’Malley, also the parking hearings committee chairman, said issues had been carefully worked through.
The building of kerbing for the bus stop outside Knox Church before councillors had determined a bus stop should be there was "unfortunate", Cr O’Malley said.
Cr Cherry Lucas agreed this was annoying.
Cr Andrew Whiley said placing such a stop immediately in front of a pedestrian crossing had also attracted negative reviews.
The council confirmed concerns from a bus drivers’ union had been received.
Cr O’Malley noted the Knox block work in the broader upgrade of George St was completed ahead of schedule and he indicated this might have been a factor in councillors seemingly having a decision made for them about the bus stop by staff.
"Are we wanting George St to be ahead of schedule?" he asked.
Two of the largest changes to parking were well away from the city centre.
About 150m of broken yellow lines would be added in Newington Ave, Highgate, after residents raised concerns about unsafe parking in the street.
About 90m of broken yellow lines would be added in Gladstone Rd, Dalmore.
Residents had raised concerns about unsafe parking there, and parking on the street had also made rubbish collection problematic, a report for the hearing said.
Councillors were mostly sympathetic about the hearings committee having a difficult job to do.
Deputy mayor Sophie Barker said bus usage was growing.
Difficult decision-making was required to balance everyone’s needs, she said.
Cr Mandy Mayhem said bus passengers were also shoppers and the city needed to be accessible for all residents.
Mr Radich said double bus stops resulted in there being empty space for long periods outside businesses.
Infrastructure and development general manager Simon Drew said some infrastructure was determined by what was needed at peak demand, such as rush hour.
Cr Brent Weatherall said motorists had commented it was too hard to find a park in Dunedin and more were now shopping in Queenstown and Invercargill.
Cr Carmen Houlahan voted against the changes and said some were a "kick in the guts for businesses", particularly in the Knox block.
Cr Lee Vandervis said decision-making was being driven by impractical ideology.
The vote for the parking changes was 8-4.
Against were Mr Radich, Cr Houlahan, Cr Vandervis and Cr Weatherall.
