Longer parking permits mooted for over 80s

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
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Ashburton’s new over-80s parking by-law has been questioned by one of its councillors, who’s not sure how it will help.

Councillor Carolyn Cameron felt the bylaw, which comes into effect on April 4, didn’t really benefit older residents’ parking and their access to the CBD.

Residents aged over 80 would be eligible for a free special parking permit that entitled them to double the allotted time in the 30 and 60-minute time restricted car parks.

The permits do not apply to the pay and display parking area.

Cameron said the policy was supposed to make it easier for older people to access the shops by being able to park closer, not for longer.

“So I don’t know how this is helping,’’ said Cameron, who supported the policy. She reiterated access, not time, was the issue but didn’t know the solution.

“This is giving them to park longer at the shops but how is helping them park nearer the shops. The problem in Ashburton is parking location.”

Council strategy and policy manager Toni Durham said staff had considered other options but this was “the best we could come up with”.

Not all over 80s would be eligible for a mobility park and the council didn’t want to impact on access for other mobility park users, Durham said.

With the $15 million Ashburton CBD revamp, the council had already lost about 40 parking spaces and was loath to further reduce the number of parks by creating specific ones for over 80s, and then see them unused.

Councillor Stuart Wilson, who declared a conflict of interest and removed himself from voting due to being over 80, could see the benefit.

“The majority won’t proudly display in their windscreen they are over 80 so it will be limited to those who have limited mobility but don’t qualify for a mobility sticker.”

Councillor Rodger Letham couldn’t see any advantages for simply extending the parking limit.

Deputy mayor Liz McMillian said: “It’s a start and we need to start somewhere”.

The policy would be reviewed in five years or sooner if required, especially if there was low uptake of the permits.