Editorial: 'Dance' promises sore toes

The changing face of the town's CBD may grimace at the anticipated response to the potential loss of roughly 540 to 700 carparks.

Progress sometimes comes at a cost.

And in Whangarei's case, the changing face of the town's CBD may grimace at the anticipated response to the potential loss of roughly 540 to 700 carparks, as projects designed to improve the district are rolled out.

Some of those spaces going are the 229 carparks near the Canopy Bridge, which accidentally became a carpark after buildings were cleared during Town Basin development. So really, they don't count. I'd much rather look at the planned park than acres of concrete.

All up there are about 3500 carparks in or near the CBD.

The council needs to make sure we have the right number of carparks proportional to our population, taking into account that we have a high proportion of elderly.

Anyone who parks in the CBD needs to accept that the days of driving into town and parking outside your favourite shop are gone.

There is often plenty of parking in Whangarei's CBD. But the fact it is in a multi-level parking building puts some people off.

Perhaps along with a high proportion of elderly, acrophobics are disproportionately represented in our community.

Whangarei in general, is home to a relatively conservative population, some of whom accept change much like a doberman welcomes strangers in the night.

Regardless, our parking harmony will lie in the two partners in the dance not constantly standing on each other's toes.

Walking a little further to shop in a CBD that is thriving and full of people is preferable to easily finding a carpark in the CBD and kicking tumbleweeds out of the way as you exit your vehicle.