Parking problems

Did you know that parking in a bus stop or a taxi stand can’t include pulling over and stopping and not even getting out of the car. I

have recently visited Queenstown and was given two tickets within an hour of each other for pulling over in an empty taxi stand and letting my passengers off. Never leaving the vehicle and leaving the park within two minutes, and then returning one hour later to pick them up from an empty bus stop.

Once again, never leaving the vehicle, never turning the vehicle off and leaving the empty bus stop within two minutes. When you have young children, or children with intellectual disabilities (as is my case) dropping them and family members off close to the venue is very important

. But apparently, stopping even for less than two minutes is worthy of a parking ticket. Very very unhappy with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and their very ridiculous rules regarding parking, CCTV footage, and the inability to understand the struggles of parents of children with special needs.

Unbelievably - we were also ticketed for parking outside the dairy - 3/4 of the vehicle inside the park, back wheels out of the park - another $60 please. I have indeed lodged a request to waive these parking tickets, but “Agent 158” (not even prepared to sign their name) says they have to be clear and consistent with their enforcement strategy and I still have to pay 2/3 tickets!!! One way to boost revenue.

Marina Seager

QLDC Response

Since government deregulation of the taxi industry, Queenstown’s large visitor population and busy CBD have attracted a number of unlicensed “taxis” which have caused some serious issues. We have had reports of passengers feeling threatened or unsafe, being grossly overcharged and a number of issues between the long standing companies and those new to the town and the industry. Aside from the obvious serious safety issues, these problems have the potential to cause massive reputational damage to our town which is reliant on tourism.

In response, QLDC has developed a taxi permit system whereby a limited number of permits are issued and space on taxi stands is reserved solely for these permit holders. The revenue from the permits is channelled back into the monitoring of these spaces. In short, we monitor taxi stands to ensure our residents and visitors are given as much protection as possible when getting into a taxi.

Similarly, we are aiming to protect staff by not disclosing their identity when responding to parking infringement complaints. The sad reality is that officers have been stalked and threatened by customers who feel aggrieved by a parking ticket.

If you feel you have received a ticked unfairly, you can choose to appeal it. More information can be found on our website at qldc.govt.nz/services/transport-and-parking/

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