Longer parking permits mooted for over 80s
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.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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