John MacDonald: Residential parking permits - yay or nay?

Would you be happy to pay $110-a-year for a residential parking permit, so you could get a park outside your place whenever you wanted?

Some Christchurch City Council candidates think you would. Especially, if you live in the central city or in a suburb close to town where on-street parking can be a real problem.

The council is already looking into it. That’s how we have an idea how much it would cost. Around $110-a-year.

These candidates are saying today that it’s time to give residents priority parking in their own streets.

But I’m with developer Matthew Horncastle, from Williams Corporation, who is dead against the idea.

He says anyone who pays rates has the right to use an on-street car park, whether they live in the area or not. And he’s right.

He says a lot of people can’t afford to buy an apartment or a townhouse with off-street parking - so they have to park on the street.

I know how infuriating it can be for people who can’t get a park outside their place because every other Tom, Dick and Harry is parking there.

And I know that it’s a particular problem in the centre of town. Although, it’s a problem too in the suburbs a bit further out from the city.

Earlier this year, two-hour parking limits were introduced on Bishop Street in St Albans because people were struggling to get a park.

Which I’m fine with. I’ve got no problem with that. Because that keeps the parks available for everyone.

Resident parking permits are a different story, though.

I think they’re one of those things that sound good or look good on paper but, in reality, aren’t.

For example, policing them would be more work and cost for the council. Plus - just because you have a permit, it doesn’t guarantee you a park.

You could pay your $110 and end up parking around the corner. Or further away.

I hear the argument that people living on a street should have priority over others when it comes to parking. But I think we just have to accept that we have more and more properties in Christchurch without off-street parking and residential parking permits aren’t going to solve the problem.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Canterbury Mornings podcast with John McDonald
from NEWSTALKSB.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Question, would you be happy to pay one hundred and
ten dollars a year? Would you be happy to pay
one hundred and ten dollars a year for a residential
parking permit so you could get a park outside your
place whenever you're wanted. Would you or some christ Church
City Council candidates think you would, especially if you live
in the central city or in a suburb close to

(00:35):
town where on street parking can be a real problem.
Now the councilor is already looking into it. The mis
candidates pushing for it with the council is already looking
into it. And that's how we have an idea of
how much it would cost, about one hundred and ten
bucks a year. And these candidates are same today that
the time has come to give residents priority parking in

(00:57):
their own streets. Now I'll tell you, I'll tell you
who the councilor is pushing or the candidates pushing for
the parking permits are shortly but I'll tell you what
I'm with develop A Matthew Horncastle from Williams Corporation, who
was dead against the idea. He's dead against it. I'm
dead against it as well. Matthew Horncastle says, anyone who

(01:18):
pays rates has the right to use an on street
car park, whether they live in the area or not.
And we all pay rates in some way, shape or form,
don't We We own a property who pay rates. If
we rent, we pay rates through the landlord. And he's right.
He says there are hundreds of properties that don't have
off street parking. I actually think that might even be

(01:40):
an underestimate, but he's saying that a lot of people
can't afford to by an apartment or a townhouse with
off street parking, so they have to park on the street.
And look, I know how infuriating it can be for
people who can't get a park outside their place, because
every other time, every other time, Di can harry his
parking there. And I know that it's a particular problem

(02:02):
in the center of town, although it's a problem too
in the suburbs a bit further up from the city.
In fact, it's probably an issue all over town. Earlier
this year, two our parking limits were introduced on Bishop
Street in Saint Albans because people were struggling to get
a park. Now, I'm fine with that. I've got no
problem with parking limits because that keeps the parks available,

(02:24):
still keeps them available for everyone. Resident parking permits though,
completely different story, and I actually reckon they're one of
those things that sound good or look good on paper,
but in reality I think they'd be more trouble than
they're worth, or they certainly wouldn't be as good as
these council candidates say they would be. For example, policing

(02:46):
them would be more work and more costs for the council. Plus,
just because you have a permit doesn't guarantee your car park,
doesn't it You could pay your one hundred and ten
dollars and you could end up parking around the corner
all further away. Sometimes I hear the argument, I hear
the argument that people living on the street should have
priority over others when it comes to parking. But you know,

(03:09):
that's the argument, but I don't agree with it. I
hear it, but I don't agree with it. I think
we just have to accept that we have more and
more properties in christ Church without off street parking, and
we have to accept that residential parking permits aren't going
to solve the problem. Tell that though, to Ellie Jones,
Tell that to Paul Lincotter, and tell that to Jake McClellan.

(03:29):
That Paul Lane Courses Deputy mayor. Jake is the current
Central City councilor in Ali's running for councilor and the
Inner Ward they're the ones pushing for these permits. And
Allie says the demand for parking is on the rise,
is housing intensifies, and she has complaints all the time
about clogged streets with nowhere for residents to park. She says,
even architects, developers and builders have raised concerns over development

(03:53):
plans they have submitted being sent back to them, suggesting
they remove garages or off street parking. Oh quote Ali,
she says. Quote Some of them are happy with that
as it means they can build more units on a site,
but others are concerned about the issues this will cause.
And I agree, And she says if she's elected, she'll
make it a priority. Well, this is where you come

(04:14):
into it. Is it a priority or more to the point,
our residential parking permits a good idea

Speaker 1 (04:22):
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