Car park occupancy down
Believe it or not, it’s never been easier to find a car park in New Plymouth.
Figures from the 2017/18 annual report show during the period of 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday when charges apply, CBD car parks were only occupied 41 per cent of the time.
The rate has fallen from the
2016/17 period, when the parks were occupied 55 per cent of the time, but remained about average compared to the last few years, with the rate hovering between 43 and 50 per cent from 2012/13 to
2016/17.
The current occupancy rates will be calculated after the holiday period, although it is expected to be similar to previous years at about 50 per cent, New Plymouth District Council customer and regulatory solutions manager Katrina Brunton said in a statement.
‘‘The rate is comparable to other CBDs of similar size,’’ she said.
The council had a target for CBD parking for the last few years to be occupied 85 per cent of the time, but that was removed during the Long Term Plan 2018-2028 process because it was set before new data from the current parking system was available, she said.
‘‘It’s more important to have high turnover than occupancy as this ensures there are more parking spaces available for shoppers coming into the CBD.’’
But she said it was more important to have parking spaces available for people coming to the CBD. ‘‘While occupancy rates have been consistent over the last few years, parking revenue remains ahead of budget. This figure is set independently to the occupancy rate.’’
Parking costs in New Plymouth at council car parks are either $1 or $2 an hour, depending on where you park. Parking equipment will also be renewed in 2019 at a cost of $800,000. The new system is expected to improve parking data.
‘‘NPDC also recently launched the 2050 CBD Forum to get input from stakeholders. One issue highlighted at the forum was retailers want more car parking spaces to be available.’’
But it doesn’t mean fewer people are coming into the CBD, she said.
‘‘Occupancy is just one factor when looking at visitor numbers. Another is off-street parking. Figures for last summer show more and more visitors coming to our district.’’
Doc van Praagh, the owner of Crowded House bar and restaurant on Devon St East, said the current car parking situation was adequate, but it appeared to be above 50 per cent occupancy.
‘‘Where I was in Dublin – I went over for the All Blacks – they had vehicle-free areas which worked really well.
‘‘But they’re going to have to provide extra parking somewhere.’’
Grant Sharpe, the owner of Essence of Style, said the council had to move away from its hardline approach with the sensors alerting parking wardens as soon as a vehicle’s park expires.
Parkers are generally given 10 minutes leniency over their paid for time.