Community given space to shape a better approach to managing parking

Parking and how it’s managed in the Queenstown Lakes is up for discussion, after Elected Members approved a Draft Parking Strategy for community feedback at the Full Council Meeting on Thursday, 16 November 2023.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery said townships throughout the district should be easy for everyone to get around, whether that was by foot, bike, car, or public transport.

“In the event you need to head into town in a vehicle, parking should be easy to find and stress free. And that means having enough parking available in the right places, and for a variety of needs,” said Mr Avery.

“Unfortunately, finding a space that suits your purpose and is convenient to where you’re heading is becoming increasingly difficult in our urban centres, and a better approach to managing parking is required to address this."

QLDC’s Draft Parking Strategy aims to establish objectives that outline the key outcomes sought through managing parking in the Queenstown Lakes, and principles to guide decisions on how parking is allocated and prioritised.

The Strategy is motivated by several factors, including addressing the needs of population and visitor growth, and opportunities to reduce emissions, lessen congestion on key routes, and to protect the quality of urban environments throughout the district.

Mr Avery added that the Strategy also aims to prioritise parking access according to user needs, and to help support a prosperous local economy and a safe and efficient transport network.

“We need to optimise what we have, work to support a transition to low carbon modes of transport and adopt tailored approaches to parking that work for our unique townships and their differing challenges,” said Mr Avery.

As part of development of the Draft Parking Strategy, QLDC will also create guidelines on how parking will be managed in the district, and tailored parking management plans to address existing issues within defined areas and town centres – both of which will include future community consultation.

Mr Avery acknowledged that parking was just one piece of the puzzle, and while solutions would help to resolve some issues in the Queenstown Lakes, there were other ways to influence the entire transport network.

“We need practical transport alternatives and ways to achieve broader social, environmental, and economic outcomes,” said Mr Avery.

“Council will continue working with Otago Regional Council and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency to improve our transport network, encourage the use of other modes of travel, or to reduce the need to travel at all – all of which will help to reduce the overall demand for parking.”

Feedback on QLDC’s draft Parking Strategy can be shared on QLDC’s Let’s Talk website up until Sunday 28 January 2024, providing people with plenty of time to consider their thoughts during the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Mr Avery encouraged residents and visitors to the district to read through the Strategy and share their feedback.

“Parking is a daily consideration for many, from someone heading into work or delivering goods to a store, a holiday homeowner enjoying their Christmas break here, or tourists visiting to enjoy our little slice of paradise,” said Mr Avery.

“We’d like to know if Council’s got the approach right, or what could be changed to improve parking management in the Queenstown Lakes.”

QLDC Draft Parking Strategy: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/89491/widgets/419318/documents/270555

QLDC Draft Parking Strategy Summary: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/89491/widgets/419318/documents/273981

Let’s Talk Parking Strategy Website: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/parking-strategy

How to have your say:

Online:

Complete the feedback form here: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/parking-strategy

Post:

Post to ‘Parking Strategy’, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Freepost 191078, Private Bag 50072,Queenstown, 9348 (no stamp required) 

Email:

Email your feedback to letstalk@qldc.govt.nz

Subject line: Parking Strategy