Free parking in central suburbs to end

The days of central Auckland fringe suburbs being free parking lots for commuters are ending, with a new residential parking zone coming into force in Ponsonby and others planned for Grafton and Grey Lynn.

In the past month, the net of residential parking zones has been widened from St Marys Bay and Freemans Bay to Ponsonby. Mt Eden has a residential parking zone between Mt Eden Rd and Dominion Rd at the city end of the suburb.

Auckland Transport is close to starting a residential parking zone in Parnell, consulting on one for Grafton and planning one for Grey Lynn.

Under the residential parking zone rules, free parking for commuters and shopping is limited to two hours on weekdays from 8am to 6pm. An annual permit or daily coupon for allday parking are available to residents.

Many commuters drive from the outer suburbs to find parks within the one-stage bus or rail trip to the CBD.

Waitemata Local Board chairwoman Pippa Coom said the city was following the norm for international cities — “you don’t expect to park in the city centre and city fringe for free”.

She said after initial concerns about the cost — $70 a year for a permit — residents and businesses wouldn’t have it any other way. It had transformed how the streets worked.

Auckland Transport parking services manager John Strawbridge says city-fringe residential streets are often overcrowded with commuters parking all day, leaving no room for residents and their visitors.

The Grafton proposal covers onstreet parking in an area south of the Auckland City Hospital.

The proposed charges are $1 per hour for the first two hours, and $2 per hour after this, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. A residential parking zone would apply to some of the area, with no time limit for how long motorists can park.

An open day to discuss the proposal will be held on Saturday, July 15, 9am to 1pm, at at 1 Boyle St, Grafton. For more information go to: http://at.govt.nz/haveyoursay