Submission
Do you think the zone has been assigned correctly?
Yes
What change to the zone would you recommend?
Yes, but would increase this to the rest of the city centre. See my comments below.
Do you think the hours of enforcement are appropriate?
Yes
What change to the hours you would recommend?
Are there other changes to restrictions in this area that you think should be considered in the future?
Yes
What changes to the restrictions would you recommend?
I would also love to see the bollards go up along the mall block to turn it into a pedestrian street. This would attract more people to the city centre. Maybe start with a sunday to try it out.
Do you have any other comments about the planned zone for Sunday paid parking?
I write to express my strong support for the proposed Sunday paid parking initiative and urge the council to extend this policy throughout the entire city centre.
The primary benefit of city-wide Sunday paid parking is dramatically improved parking availability. Currently, prime spaces are occupied by long-term users who arrive early and stay all day, preventing turnover. Paid parking encourages shorter stays, ensuring spaces are available for shoppers, diners, and service users throughout the day. This increased accessibility directly supports local businesses by making it easier for customers to reach their establishments.
This improved turnover creates significant economic benefits. When parking spaces turn over more frequently, more people can visit city centre businesses throughout the day. Higher foot traffic translates to increased retail sales, greater restaurant patronage, and better utilization of services, strengthening our local economy. Evidence from other municipalities demonstrates that reasonable parking fees, coupled with improved availability, actually increase overall visitation and economic activity.
City-wide paid parking also ensures equitable access to public resources. Free parking essentially subsidises those who can spend entire days in the city centre, often at the expense of others needing shorter-term access. A paid system ensures parking functions as the shared public resource it should be, available to all community members on equal terms.
The revenue generated can fund improvements to city centre infrastructure, parking facility maintenance, and public amenities. This creates a positive cycle where parking fees help finance enhancements that benefit all users, including better lighting, cleaner facilities, and improved pedestrian infrastructure.
Extending paid parking across the entire city centre creates consistency and eliminates confusion. Currently, different parking rules in different areas lead to uncertainty and unintentional violations. A unified approach ensures clarity and fair treatment for all users.
Environmental benefits include reduced emissions and traffic congestion as people spend less time circling blocks searching for free parking. More efficient use of existing spaces also reduces pressure to develop additional parking infrastructure, preserving space for other community uses.
Some may worry that Sunday paid parking could deter visitors. However, research shows that reasonable fees combined with improved availability actually enhance the overall experience and increase visitation. The key is setting appropriate fee levels that encourage turnover without creating access barriers.
I strongly encourage the council to implement Sunday paid parking throughout the entire city centre rather than limiting it to specific areas. A comprehensive approach maximizes these benefits while creating a fair, consistent system serving all community members effectively.
City-wide Sunday paid parking represents sound urban planning that balances the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors while generating revenue for community improvements. I urge the council to move forward with this proposal across the full city centre area.
Thank you for considering this important initiative.
P.S. I would also love to see the bollards go up along the mall block to turn it into a pedestrian street. This would attract more people to the city centre (good for people and business). Maybe start with a sunday to try it out.
Supporting information
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Submitter
Submission id number: 1145340
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