Waipā District Council has listened to community calls to double the parking time limit in Te Awamutu from one to two hours on a trial basis before Christmas.
Grey Power wanted two for one when it comes to parking.
So far, 246 cars have been recorded overstaying their welcome in the town this year and issued infringement tickets and 64 warnings issued. In all 4000 cars have been monitored this year.
Bryan Hudson
Current overstaying infringement fees are $20 for 30 minutes or less, $25 for more than 30 minutes but less than an hour, $36 for more than an hour but less than two hours, $51 for more than two hours but less than four hours, $71 for more than four hours but less than six hours and $97 for more than six hours.
The doubling of the parking limit follows pressure from Te Awamutu Business Chamber, Grey Power, and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board who complained an hour was not long enough to shop and have a coffee.
The trial, due to start before Christmas, will cost the council $5000, in staff time and signage.
Michael Cullen
Council transport manager Bryan Hudson said the trial would give time to work out if longer limits work for businesses, and where shorter-term parking for quick turnovers might be needed.
“The change is aimed to provide greater flexibility for shoppers, visitors, and those running errands, and help local businesses continue to thrive. It reflects a shared commitment to making Te Awamutu a more convenient and vibrant place to live, work, and shop,” Hudson said in a statement.
“We’re trialling this at the request of the community groups, and the point of a trial is that we can be flexible throughout the process, with the ability to tailor the parking to best meet everybody’s needs. We can reverse any changes that cause unexpected issues, so we’re looking forward to hearing how it works or doesn’t work for people and businesses alike.”
Shane Walsh
Te Awamutu Grey Power president Michael Cullen was thrilled.
“I want to sincerely thank the council staff for their genuine attention and care in listening to the concerns of our residents, especially the senior people I represent. Willingness to hear their voices makes all the difference in ensuring our needs are truly understood and addressed.”
Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh called the move a positive step forward.
“This change will make it easier for customers to visit local businesses and enjoy what Te Awamutu has to offer without the worry of having to move their vehicles too soon. We’re grateful for the council’s responsiveness in listening to the needs of our community.”
7 November 2024 10am
Te Awamutu Business Chamber and Grey Power have welcomed news they are to be consulted on a proposal to extend parking limits in the rural service town.
Both organisations are pushing to extend the town’s parking limit from one to two hours, after shoppers and retailers complained that one hour was not enough time to enjoy a coffee or haircut and shop.
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt told members last month that there was a strong feeling against the one-hour limit and wide support to extend parking limits to two hours.
“There is very strong support to go to two hours. The retailers are expressing a real concern around the downturn due to people not being able to have a bite to eat and do a bit of shopping. They are just in and out and leaving,” Holt said.
“So, it’s coming from the retailers, it’s coming from the residents, it’s coming from our elderly.”
Waipā District Council transport manager Bryan Hudson told the board the current time limits had existed for many years.
“There’s certainly nothing wrong with experimenting with having some change as suggested by residents, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce,” he said.
Grey Power wants two for one when it comes to parking.
“We do have to be careful that we don’t say that parking time limits might be causing people to spend less money in town. We know there is an economic downturn which is impacting all retailers and mall spaces, not just where there’s parking time limits of a certain time.
“If we’re going to change time limits then just be aware of some of the issues that might arise. We will get some retailers who really value that fast turnover of parking places, whether they be food shops or other places where people are calling in to drop of things, so they only want a relatively quick time limit.
“We know when the time limits are longer people will stay longer and therefore there will be people driving about the town looking for an empty parking space because there won’t be as many empty parking spaces as we have with the 60-minute time limit.”
Grey Power wants two for one when it comes to parking.
Hudson spoke of the need for a publicity campaign before any changes were carried out.
Te Awamutu councillor Lou Brown suggested retaining a 60-minute parking limit outside takeaways but moving to two hours elsewhere, particularly near the cinema.
“We hadn’t had the problems prior, because we haven’t had the enforcement levels,” he said.
Holt said she would consult with business chamber chief executive Shane Walsh and Grey Power president Michael Cullen after Hudson took the request on board. He suggested the group mark up a map with suggested changes and bring it back to November’s community board meeting.
“I would be looking at making it as simple as possible,” Walsh told The News. “The less confusion the better.”
Cullen said he welcomed news of the meeting.
