The Queenstown Lakes District Council's appeal to the Environment Court over car parking provisions at the new Remarkables Primary School stands, despite a "very positive and constructive" meeting with Ministry of Education officials in private yesterday.
Last week, the school's establishment board of trustees feared the legal challenge could delay the staged opening of the Frankton school in February 2010.
A total of 23 car parking spaces were set by the ministry on the school site - 10 in the drop-off area that fronts on to Lake Ave and 13 angled spaces against the administration, library and hall block.
Seven car parking spaces were proposed on Lake Ave itself.
The council said the parking plans were not adequate and the school needed to provide 42 car parks under the district plan.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes, chief executive Duncan Field, regulatory and corporate services general manager Roger Taylor and transportation manager Denis Mander this week met ministry southern network provision manager Neville Smith, school establishment board chairman Roy Thompson and ministry officers and consultants.
Council and ministry officers were looking at rearranging the 13 angled car parks to provide more spaces on site and work was continuing, Mr Mander said.
"There is an acknowledgment from the ministry and ourselves that the parking for teachers is an issue and we need to sort it out.
"The school is talking about up to 38 staff when it reaches capacity, which could be several years away, and if all those people come by car and need to park, then the key question is where will they park?"Of concern to the council is the impact on the local neighbourhood and other street users."
Mr Thompson said the meeting produced "some give and take on both sides".
