Auckland Council votes to put parking strategy forward for public consultation

Despite fears many or all of Auckland's roads would lose their street parking overnight, only 3.25 percent are proposed to over the next decade.

Auckland Council is calling for feedback on the new parking strategy for the city, developed by council-controlled organisation Auckland Transport (AT).

AT sees roadside parking as an often inefficient use of space, which could be used by many more people if it were a bus or carpool lane, rather than a place for people to store a car all day.

There was an opportunity cost in not being able to use that parking space in other ways, it said.

"Parking lanes need to be the lowest priority use of that space, because they need to be more productive," AT planning and investment executive general manager

Jenny Chetwynd said.

The new strategy would turn kerbside parking on some main roads into bus, freight, cycle and carpool lanes. This means a new lane can be utilised without needing to physically widen the road or even purchase property to do so.

"This option is the best option that's the most affordable [and] most sustainable," AT integrated network planning team head Andrew McGill said.

"It's going to quickly help ensure this city keeps moving and keeps moving easily. If Aucklanders disagree, I'm keen to hear what the alternative opportunity is here," McGill said.

Not all main roads would be converted.

"It is only 3.25 percent of the current road network over the next 10 years that will have some car parking removed when a project is put in its place," Councillor Richard Hills said.

"This is not removing parking overnight for fun, or punishment, or any other reason apart from putting in a new bus lane, transit lane, or cycle lane," Hills added.

And while roadside parking is often "free", AT said it was essentially paid for by ratepayers.

Lead transport advisor Michael Roth has run the numbers on what it is costing Aucklanders, with each car park equating to about 15 square metres of public space.

"It comes to about 900 hectares of land that's funded by ratepayers. If you value it similarly to the adjacent land value and charge a commercial rate, you're looking at an effective subsidy of about $1 billion per annum from ratepayers to free car parking."

Part of the strategy includes a plan to charge people between $2 and $4 to park vehicles at Park and Ride transport terminals, where currently parking is free. AT said it would encourage people to walk, bus or carpool to the station instead.

At today's council meeting the motion passed 13 votes to 10.

Councillors who voted against: Christine Fletcher, Tracy Mulholland, Daniel Newman, Greg Sayers, Desley Simpson, Sharon Stewart, Wayne Walker, John Watson and Independent Māori Statutory Board members Tau Henare and Karen Wilson.

Some said they agreed with the proposal in principle, but not the details. Others outlined the effects the removal of parking spaces would have on business, and the Park and Ride charges on poorer people and students.

Councillor Daniel Newman voted against the proposal, and said many of his Manurewa-Papakura constituents need to have cars and drive for a variety of legitimate reasons.

"They drive because they don't have a choice. It really grates me when I hear about 'people do have the ability to change' but they don't. I don't think people necessarily have the opportunity to change, and I really wish we stopped assuming they can quickly and easily change tomorrow," Newman said.

Councillor Wayne Walker voted against the plan too, concerned about the effect of roadside parking restrictions on businesses.

"Because I see little if any recognition in priorities or anywhere for the critically vital needs of businesses, which are not just shops but people."

The Park and Ride strategy was not liked by Councillor John Watson.

"I'm not sure I agree with some of the speakers that an additional $20 [a week] or whatever it might end up being is nothing much to concern yourself about. For students, people on limited incomes, that is quite a lot, and especially when it's added to the fact they're already paying for the Regional Fuel Tax. There's just an accumulation effect that seems to be characteristic of a number of regimes within this council," Watson said.

Councillor Desley Simpson asked AT what would happen if Aucklanders did not want the change.

McGill said the status quo was not an option, given Auckland's population growth.

"Something needs to change in our transport system. We are going to have enormous growth and we can't have a situation where we put up an option and everyone says 'no not that', but there's no alternative put up," McGill said.

Independent Māori Statutory Board member Karen Wilson was unhappy with the lack of consultation with mana whenua, and voted against too.

"What needs to be done hasn't been done from a mana whenua, maataa waka perspective, and doesn't embrace the principles of Te Tiriti," Wilson said.

Roth of AT said the strategy would make transport fairer, as wealthier people tend to have more cars and drive more, therefore make use of this free parking more.

"There is a skew in this parking subsidy towards high income households. To the extent that we change our system, we do remove some of that skew, which will deliver equity benefits."

Consultation with those businesses, residents and road users and anyone who wants to submit will start on 1 April and run throughout the month.