Thanks for your support!
Hello there! I thought I should update you on events arising from the online petition. Firstly, thank YOU for signing - the petition gained over 2,600 signatures! This is indicative of the overwhelming support in the community for free parking in the CBD, and (from your comments) a desire to see the decay of the CBD turned around, by encouraging shoppers back into town.
I was invited along to a meeting of the Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting on June 4th to present the petition. I read out many of your comments. A team from the Council led by Stavros Michael (Infrastructure General manager) then presented a (very long) background to the current parking regime, with data based on a survey done back in 2013! I think we can all agree the world has changed considerably since then? They also talked about the new "free" Parking App which is supposed to help make parking easier, but somewhat disingenuously neglected to mention you have to pay for the privilege of using the App every time you park!
The council then debated the motion to make parking free in the CBD. Because the motion had been tabled with no time limits on the free parking, it was felt to be unfeasible, though many councillors felt that time-limited free parking was something they would support. Anyway, the result was that the motion was defeated. Which, though disappointing, was really no surprise. What was also disappointing was that the Infrastructure General Manager punched the air in triumph when the motion was defeated. What I took away from that action was that it doesn't matter what we (the citizens of Rotorua) want, its about winning or losing for the bureaucrats on the Council.
No surprise to see that this same official is promoting the latest crackpot proposal - to pedestrianise Tutanekai Street, at a cost of $15 million! Cutting off the flow of traffic will limit access to the CBD even more and significantly reduce parking spaces, making the current situation even worse. And what is the point of pedestrianising a street full of empty shops? Has anyone who put this proposal forward actually walked along Tutanekai lately? I have included a link to an article in Stuff about this proposal. Council has voted to take the proposal out to the community for feedback, so be prepared!
So, unfortunately the council has not listened to the voice of the people, and nothing has changed. Despite some expressions of support for individual councillors, it feels as though the council in general have their own agenda, and free parking is not part of this. I am now closing the petition, but thank you once again for all your support. Whatever happens, do keep coming to the CBD. Our businesses need you, now more than ever!
Kind regards, Susan.