Council surveying residents online about CBD parking

Rotorua District Council wants to hear what residents think about parking arrangements in the CBD and especially their views of the 12-day free parking trial offered at Christmas last year.

Rotorua people can complete a quick online survey by going to the council website www.rdc.govt.nz and clicking on the CBD Parking Survey in the ‘Have Your Say’ box on the home page.

RDC economic projects manager Nick Dallimore said the council provided two-hour free parking in the 12 days leading up to last Christmas as a response to city retailers and other businesses.

“It was an opportunity to show that the council was prepared to listen to the business community and ready to respond to changing patterns in retailing, as well as to acknowledge the challenging economic climate businesses and consumers have been experiencing.

“Now we are having a longer-term look at on-street parking arrangements for Rotorua and we’re looking at how these might impact on businesses in the CBD, and on shoppers and other users of other CBD outlets. From this investigation we will be preparing a report and recommendations for the mayor and councillors to consider as part of the process for developing the council’s annual plan and budgets for the 2013/14 year.

“We’ve already surveyed businesses on their views of parking in the CBD and received some very useful comments and feedback. Now we want the general public to give us their views on parking in the downtown area so that we cover all perspectives.

“We’re therefore urging as many people as possible to visit the council website this week and take just a couple of minutes to complete the quick online parking survey.

The survey’s last day is Sunday 3 March and can be accessed on www.rdc.govt.nz.

ENDS

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