Residents say firm 'no' to parking fees

A move to end free parking in downtown areas of Orewa and Warkworth has struck a sour note with residents of the busy towns.

Yesterday, Rodney District Council asked for public views on its proposed bylaw which opens the way for pay and display parking in these towns.

But the response was a definite "No" when the Herald asked parking users in the towns.

Paying $1 for an hour's parking Monday to Saturday was regarded as a double dose of "user pays" for Warkworth, since a $2 toll charge came in this year for the tunnels on State Highway One.

"I don't want to pay," said Karen Moore, of Snells Beach.

"You should not need to ... this is a town for everyone to share. It's just the council getting money for the council."

Janaanii Rose, who moved to Warkworth seven years ago for its relaxed lifestyle, said paying for parking could mean "people stressing."

"We don't see that here ... at four o'clock the ducks come up from the river and cross the main street and every car stops for them."

Accountant Stewart Brown said the council should take care that its move did not drive shoppers away.

The town had always a relaxed view about parking, he said.

Residents simply avoided the peak times of the day for visitors and Friday afternoons when owners of holiday homes at neighbouring beaches came to stock up their fridge.

"We used to have a parking warden and you knew which day he would come round.

"A lot of people think the council should just enforce the rules it has."

In central Orewa, Bill Fraser said he had no problem with parking charges coming in.

"There are people who park all day here, and pay and display gives everybody a chance to use a park."

Mark Laing agreed it was sometimes hard to find a parking space but thought charges would scare off shoppers.

"Why would you want to pay for parking?"

The proposed bylaw specifies Orewa and Warkworth, rather than an earlier suggestion that it include Silverdale and the Whangaparaoa town centre.

Public submissions on the proposals close on May 18.

A report to the council said powers to have pay and display areas would encourage rapid turnover of vehicles, giving more ready access to shops for customers.

The bylaw would also bolster existing parking and traffic control rules.

COINING IT
* Orewa has 1245 spaces in the CBD and weekday demand reaches 70 per cent throughout the day.
* Warkworth has 682 spaces which are filled around noon and all day Friday.
* Last year, parking wardens worked 16 hours weekly in Orewa and 6 hours in Warkworth.
* Annual fines income is $22,000 for Orewa and $33,000 in Warkworth.