Queenstown Lakes District Council transportation planning manager Denis Mander reported to chairman Cr John Mann and Crs Gillian Macleod and Mel Gazzard that the 75 public submissions on the council's review included suggestions there should be parking charge subsidies for residents, and concern over campervan parking enforcement.
The impact on businesses due to the loss of parking spaces was identified. Time restrictions were a big issue and there was a dilemma to providing both commuter and visitor access. Some submitters said limiting parking time to encourage public transport was premature.
Removing unrestricted parking in the Brecon St carpark was opposed by parents taking children to pre-school and school. Northern Southland Transport owner-driver Bruce Walker said delivery drivers receiving tickets while loading or unloading was unreasonable. There could be more than 30 delivery vehicles operating in the CBD on any given day.
Businesses operating nearly 24 hours a day needed daily supplies as storage space was limited due to high rents.
"The nature of Cow Lane and Searle Lane has always been service lanes . . . but the dotted yellow lines create the problem."
Mr Walker said moving all-day parking too far away from the CBD and out to poorly-lit areas would put shift workers at risk.
QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson said there were, on average, 811 vehicles parked in Queenstown Gardens each day and 69,000 between October 2008 and this month. However, not all those people were parked in the gardens to enjoy the amenity.
"Parking in the gardens may well get to the point when legitimate users may not have access and council may need to look at how to solve that."
Mr Wilson said time restrictions could be one method. He suggested removal of signs which promoted the gardens as free all day parking as it was inconsistent with the purpose of the reserve and the management plan.
Apex Car Rentals manager Dan Gerard said at least four P30 spaces on Shotover St could be recreated for the benefit of consumers and business.
Mr Gerard said rental car companies and other passenger service vehicles should be allowed to use the underused Shotover St loading zones for five-minute car drop-offs and customer pick-ups. He suggested "fines apply" signs on loading zones to deter visitors parking there.
Beaver Liquor general manager Michael Morgan said the Duke St and Shotover St loading zone should not be changed into a part-time taxi stand and P30 during the day, as it would make deliveries of heavy kegs difficult from the alternative zone further up on Duke St. The suggestion that Queenstown Mall should be opened for delivery vehicles at certain times was not that attractive, he said.
Mr Mann said the hearing panel would report to the utilities committee next month, which would make a recommendation to the full council.
