1 DECEMBER 2015

Subcommittee recommends free parking trial in CBD

Council’s Traffic Subcommittee has recommended free parking in the week before Christmas and on days of special events, as well as a four-month free parking trial in Lower Hutt’s CBD. These recommendations will be considered by full Council when it meets on 15 December.

Council will consider free parking from 17-24 December, free parking on days of events and a four-month trial commencing in January 2016 where the first hour is paid parking and the second hour is free, in the CBD.

The recommendation comes after discussion and workshops with the relevant community groups and businesses around increasing retail activity in the CBD.

The Subcommittee heard submissions from retailers in support of free parking. These submissions included the views that the cost of parking is a deterrent for shoppers and that there’s an equity issue as the CBD is the only area of the city that has paid parking.

Council officers reported that international evidence and recent free parking trials in New Zealand towns and cities does not suggest free parking is an effective strategy to attract more shoppers to the city.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says, “We are here to support our retailers and business sector, we considered all views on this issue and see this trial and assessment of options as the most effective way to see if free parking has a positive impact on retail spend.”

Council has a range of initiatives to support and stimulate activity in the CBD. Council has a CBD Development Manager who supports and leads business and activity, including food truck evenings, activities such as the Lightning Lab manufacturing course, and the About Space initiative that fills empty store fronts on a temporary basis. Council also has strategies to attract private development such as the recently announced four-star plus hotel.

ENDS

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