Auckland Regional Council considers $10 surcharge on motorists

Auckland motorists could face a $10 charge on top of their daily parking costs as officials try to force commuters on to public transport.

The idea comes as the Auckland Regional Council revamps its parking policy with the aim of cutting traffic on Auckland's motorways and main roads.

It aims to limit parking in the central city to encourage motorists to carpool or use public transport.

Council transport committee chairman Joel Cayford is floating the idea of an extra tariff, similar to the system in Sydney where local authorities collect a parking levy to help fund public transport.

"We bust a gut to invest good money in public transport systems just to have someone offering carparking on Quay St at $4 a day," Mr Cayford said. "That's no good for getting people off the motorways."

A parking levy could be a more palatable alternative to a London-style congestion tax on all motorists, he said.

The idea, which has not been considered by the council, is one of several possible tactics that could be added to the parking policy.

Others include working with businesses to promote the use of public transport, and introducing constraints on the amount of parking attached to new apartment developments.

But civic groups say councils should improve public transport first.

"Aucklanders don't drive because there's an abundance of parking - Aucklanders climb into cars because there's no credible alternative," said Newmarket Business Association general manager Cameron Brewer.

Developed in the 1980s, the ARC's parking policy led to conflict between the regional council and Auckland City Council, which adopted a less restrictive policy in 1999 fearing strict measures could harm the city's economy.

Auckland City Council transport policy and projects manager Stuart Knarston said quality public transport had to be in place before restraints could be increased significantly.

However, the ARC is now investigating whether to extend "parking constraints" to CBD fringe areas, such as Newmarket, Parnell, Newton Terrace and Ponsonby, believed to be popular alternatives for businesses wanting better parking facilities.

City stakeholder groups believe motorists are being penalised because they cannot use the inefficient public transport network.

"It is the worst type of academic intervention. It's about making it as difficult as possible to drive into and park in the CBD without offering a public transport improvement scenario," said Heart of the City chief executive officer Alex Swney.

- Additional reporting Patrick Crewdson

- HERALD ON SUNDAY