Wanaka's proposed pay and display parking machines are ''far away'' from the wishes of the community, a Wanaka Community Board hearings panel was told yesterday.
Five Wanaka residents made submissions to the panel on the proposed parking changes.
Three submissions were against the use of pay and display machines in the CBD, and two were in support.
On the panel were Cr Ella Lawton, board chairwoman Rachel Brown and members Ross McRobie and Bryan Lloyd.
The council is considering introducing pay and display machines in a zone bordered by Ardmore, Brownston and Dungarvon Sts.
The council received 167 submissions on the proposed changes.
An Otago Daily Times count of the returned submissions showed 70% opposed parking meters in Wanaka and 6.5% were in favour of them.
Wanaka resident John Walker said at the meeting there was ''overwhelming opposition'' to meters and the board would be ''going out on a limb'' if it went ahead with the proposal.
Resident Quentin Smith said residential areas would be impacted if pay and display machines were installed.
''This is so far away from the wishes of this community,'' he said.
Mr Smith said Wanaka's parking problems were created by visitors.
Simon Guthrie said cycleways and walkways would be a cost-efficient and productive solution to future parking problems.
Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander told the hearing pay and display machines cost about $8000 each and $1000 to install.
Mr Guthrie said cost was an important factor.
''There is a misunderstanding that everyone in Wanaka is affluent.''
Deborah Kolb supported the idea of pay and display machines for visitors to the town.
''I strongly support that people that are coming to use our town will contribute in some way to our town.''
Community board chairwoman Rachel Brown said the board had no preference on the proposed parking changes.
The community board will review the submissions and make a recommendation to the council at a later date.
