New parking options explored
Time limits and ticketing could be the solution to congested parking problems for towns in MatamataPiako.
It was a subject that came up in a meeting between MatamataPiako business association managers, Matamata-Piako District Council’s chief executive Don McLeod and mayor Jan Barnes.
Matamata Business Association (MBA) manager Sue Whiting says it was clearly identified the issue was with employees using car parks that should be for customers.
She said it’s an issue facing Matamata and Morrinsville, but at the meeting, there was little resolution.
‘‘We were just going around in circles so I said how about this, I ask everyone in the CBD their opinions to solve this problem.’’
Possible solutions included 90 minute parking limit on Arawa St and specific areas on Broadway and 3.5 hours in all other areas.
As part of the consultation process, businesses in the CBD received a letter from MBA highlighting the parking issue and asked people to be part of a survey.
The survey asked people if they thought the proposed parking limit times would work. It asked if people wanted a ticketing system for those who exceeded the limits, or if business owners should fix the problem with their employees parking in spaces for their customers.
The letter stated that ‘‘some owners have been clear, they want cars that are over their parking limit ticketed’’.
Whiting said it was an emotive subject and accepted the success of businesses had created infrastructure challenges.
Barnes said she would rather educate business owners and employees before enforcing ticketing, which would become an added cost to the ratepayer.
‘‘I would like us to work together - we don’t wish to start enforcing. I think we can work together.’’
Matamata Paper Plus owner Graeme Guilford says if council started ticketing it wouldn’t bother him.
He encourages his staff to park away from Broadway and Arawa streets and thinks other businesses should do the same.
‘‘In Auckland if you could park 100 metres from work it would be amazing. To have a parking issue is the sign of a growing town and good sized town.’’ Nominations for the 2017 Matamata-Piako Business Awards opened this week, with the public invited to say who goes the extra mile for their customers.
Nominations for the Gull Customer Service Award close on 6 September, after which four finalists from each town will be selected and will be advertised for public voting.
Nominations can be made at mpdc.nz/business-awards or by filling in the nomination form in this week’s Council in Focus.
Only one nomination will be accepted per person.
The Bayleys Business Excellence Awards nominations are also open now and close on 25 August. Businesses are invited to nominate themselves by going to mpdc.nz/business-awards.
The winners of the Customer Service and Business Excellence Awards, as well as the Contribution to Community Award, will be announced at the 2017 Matamata-Piako Business Night Out, at the Silver Fern Farms Events Centre in Te Aroha on Thursday 12 October.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Martin Snedden, former Black Cap and CEO of NZ Cricket, as well as CEO of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Tickets to the event will go on sale on Wednesday August 16. Go to mpdc.nz/business-awards. Limited numbers are available, so be sure to book soon.