Councillors clash over Rotorua's trial parklet

A trial parklet creating controversy in downtown Rotorua has left councillors divided, with one describing it as a "tacky, green carpet".

The artificially-turfed seating area outside Artisan Cafe on Tutanekai St has divided store owners - with some neighbours unhappy about the loss of three car parks.

At a Rotorua Lakes Council Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting yesterday infrastructure general manager Stavros Michael was questioned about the six-month trial.

Michael said the request had come from the owners of the cafe.

"Personally I think it is something we will see more and more in the future. Rotorua has got a nice environment, weather and visitors and I think being outside is quite infectious."

Councillor Peter Bentley questioned whether Artisan Cafe was being charged a reasonable rent. Michael said the council was not charging the cafe.

"If it continues longer term or becomes widespread we will look into this."

Committee chairman Charles Sturt was the most critical of the parklet.

"To see a green tacky carpet with a few shrubs taking up parking spaces, for me, it's not on," he said.

"Yes, let the trial occur, but at the end of the day there's a convenience store on the corner and others that rely on driving in and driving out quickly, not long-term parking."

Sturt questioned the logic behind allowing the trial in that location.

"Who's going to compensate them [neighbouring businesses] if their business goes down?

"You can't let this lag on for two to three months, it's already costing these people money. I believe the trial needs to be pulled as soon as possible."

The "green, tacky carpet" causing controversy on Tutanekai St. Photo/File

Inner city portfolio lead, councillor Karen Hunt, defended the concept.

"If business owners and staff parked away from their own businesses and other businesses those car parks would function the way they are designed to and that's for shoppers," she said.

"We know this is a problem all over town."

She asked that people be open to the concept.

"The whole point of a trial is that we can see how it works. There will always be people that are unsure. At the end of it we will analyse how it has worked and take everyone's opinions and needs into consideration."

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said she was pleased the trial was under way.

"I think they're great and will eventually, by most of those concerned, be supported.

"We cannot develop our city around the bloody . . . car parks. We seem to do that so often."

However, councillor Raj Kumar said he was "vehemently against it".

"We can't be beating the drums all the time saying everything is hunky dory.

"We need to be very careful how we tread into this. To boost one business, let's not kill three others."