Public say on parking

The community will get its say on future parking options in the Queenstown CBD, when a proposal from the Queenstown Lakes District Council is opened for consultation as part of the next draft annual plan to be released in April.

At a meeting this week, the council's utilities committee adopted the proposal, which could see a parking charge introduced to the Boundary St car park near the library, along with an increased charge for parking at the Ballarat St car park, from the current 50c to $1 per hour.

These changes would affect long-stay parking for commuters working in central Queenstown, and QLDC infrastructure strategy manager Denis Mander said the changes were in line with the council's long-term transport strategy to provide enhanced access to the CBD.

Committee chairman Cr John Mann said parking was an issue councillors would never agree on. Some of the councillors, like Cr Lyal Cocks, were in favour of paid parking in the CBD.

"$2.50 or even $5 per day is very cheap parking. I think we should charge the same amount for the Boundary St car park as for the one at Ballarat St," Cr Cocks said.

Other councillors expressed concern about the lack of alternatives to private transport.

"I can not see we have provided adequate alternatives to driving to work in this proposal. Bus tickets from the suburbs will be around $6 each way, to go back and forth to work," Cr Vanessa van Uden said.

"Driving the car to town will still be the cheapest option for many."

"What about all the people working in CBD offices? I am not saying everyone should be able to park right outside their door, but there should be useful alternatives," she said.