New car park to be opened in central Whangarei

A building on the former Toyota site is removed to make room for more car parks. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Cars will once again be parked on the old Toyota car dealership front yard in central Whangarei.

Whangarei District Council has leased the yard between Carruth, Reyburn and Robert streets to turn into a car park.

Council roading manager Jeff Devine said the new car park should open in the next fortnight, depending on the weather.

"We have someone setting out the markings for the new car park, when that's complete we will get the road markers in to mark the car park and open it up for free parking until the new parking meters arrive and are installed."

The council hopes to have the meters installed in the next two months. Once they are Mr Devine said parking will cost $2 an hour at the new site.

He said parking will be available for an unlimited time between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and free at weekends.

The new car park will have about 75 sports, but the exact number won't be known until the marking out is complete.

Mr Devine said the council is actively seeking workable Town Basin parking options for the future because sufficient parking is required in this pivotal part of the district.

In July, the council introduced parking charges and time limits at the Town Basin car park across the road to increase visitor turnover.

Infrastructure committee chairman Greg Martin said with a lot of new development in the area the council also wanted more all-day parking close by.

Cr Martin said leasing the site for five years enables the council to provide that while it makes plans for the future.

"The community is already anticipating the green, riverside, recreational park to be developed where the parking area is close to the Canopy Bridge, so we will be needing more parking spaces in future. We're growing and maturing as a city, and our aim is to adapt to these changes and make the most of them."