Parking restrictions in Cromwell are an ill-conceived, unjustified interference and a waste of money, the Central Otago District Council was told this week.
The council's draft roading bylaw attracted 99 submissions, with a third focusing on parking restrictions in Cromwell and Alexandra and another third focusing on heavy vehicle restrictions in Barry Ave, Cromwell.
The majority of the parking submissions opposed any restrictions.
Restricted parking zones in Alexandra and Cromwell were introduced in 2007 but the bylaw allowed for the enforcement of those restrictions.
Under the bylaw, town centre parks would have time restrictions ranging from 10 minutes to two hours, depending on the location, with parks further out designated for all-day parking.
The ability to impose parking fines ranging from $20 to $50 was also included.
Former district councillor and current Cromwell Community Board member Gordon Stewart opposed any changes to parking.
''Your parking restrictions are based on rumour, hearsay and speculation. I've worked in the Mall for 30 years and seen the town grow from 4000 to nearer 5000 people and I know that parking restrictions are not required,'' he said.
There were parking ''hot spots'' around the Mall, but motorists could detour to find a park easily ''19 days out of 20''.
''The proposed aim of this bylaw is to prevent employees hogging the hot spots.''
Mr Stewart described the proposal as ill-conceived, and said it was a waste of money and an unjustified interference.
Other submissions suggested adding more car parks and were concerned about how the restrictions would be enforced.
Council roading manager Julie Muir said although restricted parking signs were displayed, ''the reality is, people don't take any notice''.
Cr Steve Battrick said it was a waste of time having the restrictions, if it they were not enforced.
Businesses had asked the council to ''get tough'' by enforcing the restrictions, Cr Clair Higginson said.
Cr Martin McPherson said there was a misconception the council would employ ''men on scooters out every day, with their chalk out'' to police the parking rules.
''That's not the case. We'd police it randomly and as necessary,'' he said.
The heavy vehicle restriction planned for Barry Ave between McNulty Rd and Neplusultra St for safety reasons drew a mixed reaction, with a total of 36 submissions received, an equal number for and against.
Ms Muir said concerns had been expressed by members of the public, police, Cromwell College and Sport Central for many years about heavy-vehicle traffic in that area.
Some submissions were from residents worried the rerouting of heavy traffic might divert trucks into residential streets, while other submissions were wholly in support of the heavy vehicle restriction.
The details of the types of vehicle to be restricted were still being finalised, but emergency vehicles, camper vans and buses were exempt.
The council agreed to adopt the bylaw, with some minor changes.
