Free parking not the answer to reviving Tauranga CBD, city leaders told

Free parking in Tauranga's CBD is not necessarily the answer to bringing in more punters, city leaders are told. Photo / File

Results of a survey that questioned Tauranga and Mount Maunganui shoppers what they cared most about has been revealed, and it's not parking.

Transport consultancy group MRCagney told Tauranga city councillors at a workshop in council chambers yesterday that creating a vibrant city centre should be their priority, and charging for car parks was part of this.

MRCagney consultants presented the results of a survey carried out in May 2017, May 2018, and November 2018 in Tauranga's city centre and downtown Mount Maunganui.

The survey questioned 1718 people, showing most were there for the purpose of shopping. While 75 per cent of respondents arrived in a private motor vehicle, 61 per cent were willing to consider a mode of transport.

Free parking in Tauranga's CBD is not necessarily the answer to bringing in more punters, city leaders are told. Photo / File

When asked what needed the most improvement, respondents overwhelmingly said a better variety of shops (31 per cent). More parking (14 per cent) and free or cheaper parking (14 per cent) and better parking (9 per cent) were the next most popular suggestions.

The survey stated if people did not move away from private vehicle use, there would be a "significant impact" on Tauranga's road network and a "significant parking shortfall by 2031".

The survey also found such congestion could be a disincentive for businesses to locate into the city centre. Increasing the supply of parking in the city centre was not recommended, the survey stated.

Consultant Jenson Varghese told elected members the economics of consumers varied from drivers to walkers to cyclists. Those shoppers who did not drive tended to visit more shops and bought more compared to people who drove.

"While there is a perceived need for parking and a perceived shortage of parking, as the city grows … you will face challenges or opportunities to inject new life and new spaces into your city centre," Varghese said.

Councillor Bill Grainger asked how the likes of Tauranga's CBD or downtown Mount Maunganui could compete compared to shopping centres like Tauranga Crossing or Bayfair, which offer free parking for shoppers.

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Varghese said free parking was not necessarily the answer and said the council should aim for an 85 per cent car park occupancy rate. He believed this could be done by charging people for parking. He also said the shoppers frequenting the outlying shopping centres were a different type of shopper to those which visited the CBD.

Consultant Stuart Crosswell told elected members it was about creating vibrancy in the city centre and paid parking had some merit.

"You could have a car park delivering one person per day, or that car park could deliver five to six people per day, you tend to get more vibrancy and economic vitality in a city centre."

The matter will now be passed on to the Tauranga Urban Form and Transport Initiative.