The first steps needed to develop a parking strategy for Tauranga will be considered by city councillors today.
It follows mounting pressure on the council from retailers alarmed at the shortage of parking in the downtown, and Avenues residents whose streets are lined all day with commuter vehicles.
Today's meeting of the Transport Committee will define the scope and approach needed to develop a parking strategy, with the aim to finalise the plan by the middle of next year.
An overview for a new transport masterplan for Tauranga will also be considered by councillors. The masterplan will set out the future direction of transport in the city, with next year the target date for completion.
A series of half-hour workshops were also due to take place today, starting with Ian Herbert from the New Zealand Transport Agency updating councillors on the agency's transport plan for the highways that impact on Tauranga.