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Parking issue a spur for change BY LINDA CLARKE
LINDA.C@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
CLINIC Ashburton CLINIC Blenheim on Ashburt Halswemll Blenhei l Fendalton Halswel i Fendalt Papanuon Papanu Rangioira a Rangior Greymouth uth ofGreymo Hokitika Hokitika Westportrt
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INSIDE
Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay wants council and retailers in the central business district to work through their parking issues as part of creating a longterm vision for East Street. Mr McKay sees a vibrant East Street in 15 years’ time with the same mix of retailers, more outdoor dining and a tourist experience. Retailers don’t know if they’ll survive that long as parking hassles encourage more shoppers to big box retailers with free parking. Shopkeepers in town are asking people to sign a petition seeking an hour’s free parking, which they hope will force
council to rethink parking charges. They say shoppers are frustrated by the current pay and display parking meters because they don’t work properly. Mr McKay said while retailers in the CBD wanted an hour’s free parking, big box retailers were reminding council they paid extra rates to provide free parking. A report by council staff last week said council would lose income that would need to be recovered by a general rate or through a direct charge to retailers along East Street. It says greater enforcement would be needed to ensure the free hour was not abused. Mr McKay said the Canterbury earth-
quakes had inflicted much damage on the heart of the precinct and a new vision was timely. “We know something better is needed.” He wants the vision to be a collaboration between council and retailers. Councillors had treated retailers’ plea for an hour’s free parking as a parking issue, but it should be a catalyst to examine the bigger picture, he said. “The right way forward is for council and retailers to get together and work out a plan for the CBD going forward. I welcome that. “In my mind, we need an updated plan and that is going to be assisted greatly by the development of Eastfield.”
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