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Traffic and parking frustrations are growing in Dunedin, but so, too, is the city's sense of prosperity, the results of the latest Residents' Opinion Survey show.

The survey of more than 1300 residents' views identified the flow of traffic - at peak and off-peak times - and the availability of parking as key rising issues.

Satisfaction with peak-time traffic flow was down 10 points, to 28%, while at off-peak times it was down 10 points to 65%.

Satisfaction with the availability of parking in the central city - one of the noisiest issues in the recent DCC election campaign - was also down seven points, to 22%.

The big drops meant satisfaction with the availability of parking in the central city (22%) and the availability of on-street metered parking (25%) were the two most frustrating aspects of living in Dunedin.

They were followed by peak traffic flows, the survey showed.

Satisfaction with the suitability of Dunedin's roading network for cyclists also remained low, at 34%, despite a six point increase.

Overall satisfaction with the DCC was also down five points, to 52%.

Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said the negative results reflected Dunedin's growing pains, as more people moved to the city - leading to more vehicles on roads - as well as the impact of construction in the city.

"With finite road space and further major developments such as the hospital rebuild still to begin, these issues will only be exacerbated unless we can reduce the extensive reliance on motor vehicles for getting around the city," he said.

The focus needed to be on providing "safe, viable and affordable options" for those people willing - and able - to leave their cars at home, he said.

That would reduce traffic congestion and free up available car parks for those who need them, as well as supporting the city's environmental goals, he said.

On the positive side, more people viewed Dunedin as a thriving city - up eight points to 59% - while satisfaction with support for economic development was up six points, to 54%.

"These increases are pleasing and not surprising," Mr Hawkins said.

"Dunedin's job and population numbers have been steadily increasing for several years and there's plenty of positive development,
construction and other projects already under way or in the planning stages."

Comments

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Unbelievable!!
So rather than LOOK for an answer to the problems of traffic and parking, the very best the Mayor can do is say "Walk or bike"
As for 'growing pains'...What complete rubbish!! These issues are directly related to the council hell-bent on cycle ways taking up as much space as possible and idiotic road protrusions everywhere!
We can all look forward to a massive increase in carbon monoxide, as Dunedin motorists crawl along the streets for years to come.

Snozzman- Walk, bike and bus. That's very believable I do it all the time. I walked in the CBD twice today and it was easy. No parking problems without a car.

If more people walk, bike and bus there would be fewer cars and thus no increase in carbon monoxide.

Dunedin is one of the few places in the world which bases it's economy on parking. While the mayor's comments may reflect a reasonable expectation that people subjugate themselves to his green ideology they arent fact based. It's illogical to expect people to change their entire lives in order to accommodate Hawkins world view and green ideology. People are just trying to get by and live; pay their bills and feed their family. Stop shoving the green agenda down our throats! Fix the parking problems! Lower the cost of parking! Fix the infastructure and stop lecturing us! I work 6 days a week and see less and less of what I earn because DCC keeps raising rates and fees to cover the cost of problems they created. The last thing I want to listen to is some do nothing politicians winge about "how I should do my part and take the bus". How about you clowns do what you were elected to do and fix the real problems the people of Dunedin are facing everyday and then maybe we can reexamine this whole green religion your pushing. Until then get on with your job and leave us alone!

Surely all this tells you is that people love gardens and historic buildings and resent paying for parking? How many respondents had actually visited the Gardens as a destination recently ... and how many could actually point to Olveston on a map?

Furthermore, while I agree with the mayor to some degree, these 'safe, viable, and affordable' options needed to be in place BEFORE the council refused to look at increased parking as an option. The only reason why it wasn't is because it was - and remains - too hard. Cheap buses have to be paid for somehow, and you can only sting ratepayers so much for something many will never use.

Great to see Aaron has something to say. After all, the survey is an important indicator of where the residents of Dunedin see their city. So, let's start with the transport woes. We have rail lines, extending North to Waitati/Karatane, West to Mosgiel and East to the Port. We also have Hillside workshops and the Central Railway Station. See where I'm going with this? Maybe let's see a survey about the commuter numbers, the costs versus car usage/pollution, and how to promote rail travel. Further to that, the cruise ship passengers would far rather a train ride than a bus ride.

Can't be bothered with Dunedin now. Getting around and parking is just to stressful not to mention costly. I now take one or two days a month and spend my dollars in Oamaru. Lovely day out, parking is easy, all the shops I need. Highly recommend it.

Sounds nice but doesn't suit those who live, shop and work in town. I've been to the CBD twice today, both times on a bus with no parking worries. No stress at all. Highly recommend it.

A population increase of 5,000 over the last 10 years can easily be absorbed with proper planning. The Taieri is where the growth has mostly gone, where they live and some work- so that is not the reason for our parking/traffic woes. It is a result of DCC decision making; cycle lanes, reducing carpark numbers and making more pay parks. The DCC is the reason, Cull, Hawkins and their ilk.

Lets not mention the ‘barn dance’ pedestrian crossing that seem to reduce the amount of time for green lights for cars…the ones on the oneway system are the worst.

"Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said the negative results reflected Dunedin's growing pains, as more people moved to the city - leading to more vehicles on roads - as well as the impact of construction in the city"
So what is hawkin going to do?, make the construction workers ride bicycles while carrying construction equipment?, is he going to fix the weather too so people can ride to work year round?, maybe flatten some of them hills.
If it doesn't come from his overlords the greens he doesn't have a clue how a city runs.

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