Loading zones on Dunedin's streets look set to be replaced by new "authorised vehicle" bays requiring permits for use, if the recommendations of a Dunedin City Council hearings committee are accepted.
The committee, chaired by deputy mayor Syd Brown, met yesterday to consider 12 public submissions on the proposal, which would see the council's traffic and parking bylaw amended to convert 19 loading zones into "authorised vehicle" parking bays.
However, the hearing and the panel's public deliberations lasted just 30 minutes, after Cr Brown announced 11 of the 12 submissions had been deemed to be "outside the scope" of the bylaw being considered.
The submissions rejected were from various individuals and organisations, including Age Concern Otago and the Department of Conservation, but addressed parking in certain streets and areas, not the bylaw proposal, Cr Brown said.
The council's wider parking review committee could consider their arguments, but only when consensus could be shown on the changes required, he said.
The only submission accepted yesterday, from University of Otago property services director Barry MacKay, supported the plan to tighten use of the parking bays, which were important to the university.
Mr MacKay was not at yesterday's hearing, but his written submission said it was important the definition of "authorised vehicles" was broad enough to encompass all legitimate users, and that obtaining a permit was a simple, transparent and quick process.
Under the new system, delivery drivers would have to apply to the council for permits to use the parking bays for deliveries.
The permits could be issued on the roadside by parking wardens, or would take 24 hours to process and issue from the time paperwork was received.
Council parking services team leader Daphne Griffen said permits would be available for any vehicle involved in deliveries, including, for example, florists making deliveries in cars.
Vehicles would be limited to 15 minutes in the bays, she said.
Those who did not qualify for permits as delivery drivers could also apply for dispensation to use the spaces for specific trips, as was already the case, she said.
The hearings panel, Crs Brown, Andrew Noone, Michael Guest and Bill Acklin, voted to recommend the amended bylaw be adopted.
If adopted by the council at its meeting on February 22, the new bylaw would come into force on March 1.
A marketing and education package would also be developed to promote the new system.
