New Plymouth drops free CBD parking idea

New Plymouth councillors have ditched an option to offer free parking in the CBD, instead recommending the current $3 an hour charge be reduced to $2 an hour.

Councillors faced a range of options for metered and time-restricted parking, including their indicative costs and revenue implications. According to a council officer's report, free parking across the CBD with a time limit of one or two hours would've meant lost annual revenue of $1.8 million, as well as up to $2.1m for extra enforcement or new parking sensors and $180,000 in implementation costs.

As well as the reduced parking rate, the council was proposing to:

• allow SuperGold holders to park free for two hours at any time of day
• retain the two-hour parking limit on Devon Street
• consider a capital project to secure the Downtown Carpark through managed entry and to retain one level for casual parking and revert the remaining levels to leased parking.

The council also approved a range of changes to parking controls across New Plymouth including mobility parking, loading zones and time-restricted parking at various motorhome parks.

Staff were also asked to undertake a district-wide review of mobility parking to identify gaps and develop a prioritised programme to ensure every school has access to at least one appropriately located mobility parking space.

A final decision on parking charges would be made when council approved its Long-Term Plan in 2027.