The decision on whether Tauranga City Council will trial free parking in the city's CBD has been delayed after concerns it could spark a 1.5 per cent rates rise.
The council met this afternoon to make a decision on whether they would allow free parking for a trial period of three months but stepped back from reaching a conclusion after protests from Councillor John Robson.
Cr Robson said more financial information was needed before any decision was made.
Cr Robson said the council had not prepared a full business case and the public survey that had been already carried out in regards to downtown shopping had not included telling people about the trade off of "free parking".
Cr Robson said if the trial period was successful then the downturn in revenue gathered would have to be replaced with a 1.5 per cent rates rise.
