Port parking problems seem resolved

Port Chalmers parking problems appear to be resolved following completion of a second parking survey and a vote by the Chalmers Community Board to tweak changes.

In May, the Dunedin City Council voted to adopt changes to parking on George St - the town's main street - following reports from the community board which noted concerned parties had been consulted.

However, the Otago Daily Times revealed consultation was not as widespread as thought, so a second survey was conducted to ensure changes were supported.

Board deputy chairman Steve Walker reported its results to members at a meeting this week.

A total of 34 businesses were consulted on changes to parking and 31 wholly agreed with them.

The changes would result in most P30 parks being changed to P60s, others reduced to P10s, and the installation of a mobility park by the library and loading zone outside the town hall.

Following a discussion with the owner of Port Chalmers New World, plans to install P60 parks outside the premises were revoked.

"It's a joyous place to park and in essence, the slight changes we are making can only make it better," Mr Walker said.

However, board member Trevor Johnson described the changes as "shifting the deck chairs around".

Having originally requested a mobility park be installed by the library, further changes were a "waste of everybody's time" and were trying to fix something which was not broken.