There are currently no restrictions at the car parks beside the Banks Peninsula wharf or at the Stoddart Point main parking area.
It has attracted freedom campers, and others using the spaces all day, which creates problems for people needing to park their cars and commute across Lyttelton Harbour on the Black Cat Cruises’ ferry.
Black Cat Cruises chief executive Paul Milligan said parking has been an issue for “quite some time”.
"It is an area that needs to be managed and controlled to make it fair for everyone.
"Obviously, for our customers, we’d like to see as much parking available as possible."
Christchurch City Council is asking for feedback on a proposal to change the area beside the wharf to include six parking spaces with 180min restrictions. It could also keep eight unrestricted parking spaces and retain two mobility parking spaces.
Banks Peninsula Community Board member Scott Winter, who represents the Mt Herbert Subdivision, has received feedback from residents who are unhappy with the proposal. But he said “you can’t please everyone".
"With the space we’ve got [the city council] has come up with a good proposal.
"I’m glad they’re consulting with the community about it, rather than just going ahead and doing something they’re not happy with.”
He said the community board has raised questions over what will happen once freedom campers return to the area in the future.
“They will come back and it’s [about] where do we put them? How do we get a benefit over having them here and how do we keep them out of the public spaces and the ferry spaces?”
Diamond Harbour Community Association member Richard Suggate, who was involved in the process prior to the consultation, said the proposed changes would likely ease some of the issues.
- Consultation is open until July 28. Have your say here.
