Public parking in Rotorua city is set to get an overhaul which could see big changes to how much it will cost you.
At a meeting of the Rotorua District Council's Infrastructure Services Committee yesterday councillors voted unanimously to send the new Draft Public Parking Policy out for consultation to Rotorua residents.
Council works manager Peter Dine said two key features of the draft parking policy were to achieve between 70 and 90 per cent occupancy of public parking spaces and price control.
"In the past we have used time and pricing to control parking. This is moving entirely to price.
"It's not going to happen tomorrow, it could take 10, 15 or 20 years before it's entirely in place," Mr Dine said.
He said if a carpark did not achieve 70 per cent occupancy then charges to park there would drop until target occupancy was reached.
"Below 70 per cent pricing could be set at zero. Once we have over 70 per cent occupancy we have the pricing right.
"This means that the minimum period purchased is half an hour but could cost 50c, $1, $1.50 etc. At the other end of the scale the lowest possible charge would be 50c for eight hours."
He said the aim of the policy would "manage demand much better than at present and favour short-term use in high demand retail areas ... it favours customers over workers".
Councillor Charles Sturt asked if the new policy included the Government Gardens, an area where many workers parked.
Mr Dine said all of Rotorua's public parking areas would be covered by the policy and would include suburban shopping centres "... but at this stage none would justify anything other than a zero charge".
He said parking in the Government Gardens was less than 70 per cent but if it started to exceed that figure fees would be implemented.
Reviews of the policy and its pricing would be undertaken annually and the old style "lollipop" meters would eventually be phased out in favour of "pay and display" meters.
Copies of the Draft Public Parking Policy are available from the council's Civic Centre or on its website at www.rdc.govt.nz
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