From Monday Queenstown drivers will have fewer options for free parking as Queenstown Lakes District Council looks to slash its $1.1 million parking debt and encourage tourists and shoppers into the CBD.
"Queenstown commuters will have the opportunity to travel smarter with the introduction of improved parking for Queenstown shoppers," council transport manager Denis Mander said, insisting the move was about "offering choice".
"We hope changes to car parking can be looked at as a really good opportunity to explore choices," he said.
The increased charges at Ballarat St and Boundary St and the Recreation Ground began with consultation through the council's annual plan this year.
Charges go up by 50c an hour to $1 on Ballarat St, as well as a new charge of 50c an hour with a $2.50 cap on Boundary St and non-leased parks on the Recreation Ground.
Mr Mander said the new fees were timed to coincide with the introduction of "an improved public transport system and education about sustainable travel choices".
Sustainability - including issues such as the cost of petrol and the projected volume of cars on Frankton Road - was only one of the reasons for the change, he said.
Council carried a car-parking debt of $1.1 million and while this needed to be reduced the council was not making a profit from car parking, he said.
"It's not about making revenue from locals, it's about helping locals change the way they travel, while keeping the CBD vibrant. We know we need more short-stay parks to help encourage visitors and shoppers to the centre of town and we know that for a lot of locals, free car parking is about convenience, rather than thinking about the choices."
Visitor numbers were growing but the number of car parks was not and coupled with the anticipated rise in oil prices and the cost of living "now is the time to ask: do I need to take my car to town every day? Bus, walk, bike, ride share and park and ride may not be the way people commute now, but it will be".
The new charges coincide with an offer for free parking for people who sign up for car pooling. Fliers are being delivered explaining the offer, which involves registering free at the council office and travelling with three or more adults per car every day.
The change from next month includes free parking after 6pm at all council car parks except Church St and Man St.
Mobility parking will continue to be free and people with disability permits can park on the street or in the council's car parks free of charge.
NO CHANGE
Areas not affected by the car parking changes.-
• The car parks next to the library.
• The P10 spaces in the Recreation Ground car park.
• Mobility parks in the Recreation Ground and Boundary St car parks.
• Leased parking.
