But the Dunedin City Council says it could be open to other vehicles sharing the space.
Dunedin City Pharmacy owner Debbie Young said she wants the council to allow her customers to use a parking area outside her shop in Princes St.
The area used to be a regular bus stop but was decommissioned when the bus hub was opened.
About three weeks ago, electronic parking signs were installed, signalling only cruise ship shuttles could park in the area for up to 20 minutes.
"It's not serving Dunedin residents at all,'' Ms Young said. "It's farcical.''
She had never seen a shuttle park in the space since the electronic signs were installed.
"I don't understand why these parks are just sitting empty all the time, when they could be being used by the sick and the disabled.''
One of her customers used the parking space last week and was issued a $60 parking ticket, she said. About 20 customers visited her business daily to collect prescriptions and found it difficult to get a park.
"It's bordering on lunacy.''
She wanted the 20-minute restriction to stay but for all vehicles to be able to use the space.
Council acting transport group manager Nick Sargent said the parking area - including spaces outside the pharmacy, Community Gallery and Night 'n Day - once included two bus spaces, one authorised vehicle only space, two P5 (five-minute parking) spaces and a short bus space.
Parking changes to the area were adopted in August and were being implemented but weather had held up line marking.
The changes allowed for three bus spaces, one authorised vehicle space and two P5 spaces.
More P5 spaces were available to motorists around the corner outside the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, he said.
The council decided it was appropriate to designate the spaces outside the pharmacy for the use of cruise ship shuttle buses so cruise passengers could be dropped off to visit the art gallery in the upper Octagon.
The designation of the parking area outside the pharmacy could change, he said.
"We agree it would be a good idea to use this space flexibly and intend to present a variable designation for these spaces at a future traffic and bylaw sub-committee meeting.
"We have tried this approach in Moray Pl and it worked well.''
SHAWN.MCAVINUE @thestar.co.nz
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Comments
Why doesn't this surprise me about the dcc, after all they are hell bent on removing any car parks.
Seems they expect those who can't walk far to magically be able to walk to the pharmacy, they would rather build an ego trip instead.
Do you know what the worst part is? DCC doesn't charge the cruise ships for the privilege of parking there. Residents have to pay $4 per hour but visitors get to park for free! I thought we elected the new Mayor and DCC counselors to represent our best interests? Another reason why more people continue to shop online and avoid patronizing local businesses. The mayor and DCC are clueless concerning what they are doing to local businesses by ignoring the parking problem plaguing Dunedin. Drive down the main street and take a good long look at all the empty buildings. Cant buy goods if you cant find a place to park. It seems kind of obvious don't you think? I cant wait to see the masses leaving the meridian with their huge sacks slung over their backs as they board their electric bikes and head for the bike lanes. They will look like Santa on Christmas eve, fastidiously balanced as they meander towards their green homes. Unfortunately, the reality is more and more people will embrace the internet in protest! Keep up the good work DCC...you really know how to impress the voters!
Why would any parks be dedicated to use for an activity that only occurs for about 80 days a year? Unless you are totally against the public using private vehicles. Oh but that's right, council and the DCC are exactly that aren't they.
And scooter loving flat dwellers voted for a greens council so I doubt we will see much rational thinking any time soon.
We need visionary leaders looking to solve problems in a competent and professional manner. That's not what we have. I'm sick and tired of their petty bickering and pandering. I have no faith in any of the people in office here in Dunedin. We would be better off abolishing council and just saving the money wasted on salaries, perks and bike Lanes. Dcc could do us all a favor and go on an extended trip to our sister city! Maybe those people will understand and appreciate the logic of their decions. I sure don't!