Council CEO responds to questions over parking

I HAVE two questions I’d like to get answers for. How many councillors who voted to meter the remaining free car parks in north Dunedin are provided with a free car park as part of their job?

Second, are they going to increase funding to the Otago Museum staff to cover the $25$100 a week they are going to be now taking from us after taxes?

This whole situation is a kick in the guts. First they take away half the free parks, now they want to charge for the remaining ones? There is only one word for them and you can’t print it. Andrew Spiegel

Opoho [DCC Chief Executive Officer Dr

Sue Bidrose replies:

‘‘No decision to meter car parks has been made. Councillors voted only to consult on the issue.

‘‘Parking has always been available for elected members adjacent to the Dunedin Centre. This is in line with many other businesses who provide offstreet parking for members of their organisations. Councillors are ‘selfemployed’ and entitled to reimbursement of their expenses. Providing a car park next to Council is the simplest way to administer this.

‘‘Elsewhere in the city, councillors pay to park.

‘‘Our constant monitoring of parking use and pricing is to ensure good turnover, to help people find a park. Dunedin’s parking charges are low by national and international comparison.’’]