Queenstown Lakes District Council is implementing changes to parking in Queenstown’s CBD, as part of its Queenstown Town Centre Transport Strategy.

The changes, which began in August and will continue over the coming months, are aimed at reducing congestion and freeing up car parks for both locals and visitors.

QLDC General Manager, Infrastructure, Peter Hansby is pleased to see changes underway. “These measures are all part of the implementation of the Queenstown Town Centre Transport Strategy. There are more changes in the pipeline over the coming twelve months to help ease congestion and parking issues. It’s not a simple process and involves a bit of trial and error, but we’re proactively making changes and expect to see positive results, both in the short and longer term.”

The changes include:

•        A ‘no return within one hour’ restriction in ten areas within the CDB, meaning drivers won’t be able to park within the same zone for one hour after their first parking period has expired.
•        All loading zones will change to dual purpose Loading Zone/Taxi Stands.
•        Clearer signage to ensure drivers know the difference between loading zones and short term parking.
•        Buses parking in lower Beach St and beyond Steamer Wharf on Lake Esplanade will be allowed a longer stay of 60 minutes between 6pm and 10pm, with a 15 minute restriction during the day. Parking for smaller busses will now be allowed in lower Beach St in what was a Loading Zone beside Earnslaw Park.
•        33 new dedicated campervan carparks at the Boundary Street carpark and better signage aimed at reducing the number of campervans in the CBD.
•        60 more car parks available at the Church Street underground carpark, by shifting leased parks to the privately owned Man Street carpark on October 7th, and making those spaces available to the public.
•        From 3 October the Council will start a 12 month trial extending the evening enforcement hours from 6pm until 9pm to understand the impact on parking availability.
•        Trialling 15 minute restrictions in areas of the CBD between the hours of 3pm-6pm to increase availability for people picking up and returning ski gear (reverting back to usual 30 minute restrictions after 31 October).

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor, Vanessa Van Uden says this is all part of an ongoing strategy to try and ease congestion across Queenstown. “Alongside these parking changes we are looking at ways to reduce the number of vehicles making the journey into Queenstown, and recently conducted a survey to gauge interest in a Park and Ride trial based in Frankton. Council is well aware of the issues many drivers are encountering during busy periods in Queenstown’s CBD, and are looking to make changes that benefit the community.”

Full details about the changes, including maps can be found at http://www.qldc.govt.nz/

ENDS

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