New parking charges will thwart car-shifting trick

Saturday, 6 July 2024

Parking charges are set to be introduced to Hagley Park, the council said it’s to stop people overstaying the 180 minute time limit.

The city council says parking meters in Hagley Park will thwart workers using 180-minute spaces all day, but avoiding tickets by moving their cars on breaks.

Car parking fees - $4.60 for three hours, seven days a week - will be introduced in Hagley Park sometime in October, after councillors voted in favour of the move in June.

Car parking at a premium in the Armagh St car park in Hagley Park, near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

The council has also doubled down on overstayers being a key reason for the change, despite it emerging that wardens had ticketed for expired warrants and registrations - but not for overstaying.

Mayor Phil Mauger previously argued that people were parking in the free parks during the day and walking to work, in breach of the 180-minute time limit.

He said charging for parking would deter that and make some revenue.

However, data obtained by Press reader Ken Orr reveals not one infringement notice was issued for vehicles parked for more than three hours in March, April or May this year.

Parking will cost $4.60 for three hours, generating the council around $2 million a year.

The information showed infringement notices were only issued to parked vehicles without a current warrant of fitness or registration.

Transport Operations Manager Stephen Wright said vehicles had been seen moving within the car park throughout the day, which re-set the period they could park for.

“This results in some vehicles that will have been parking in the car park all day but wouldn’t have been liable for an infringement. In addition, we are complaint-reactive for the most part and therefore manage our time and resources accordingly.”

Bert Walker regularly uses Hagley Park, but says having to pay for parking would be a deterrent.

The move-the-car trick appears to be a citywide issue. On a rainy Wednesday this week, the Margaret Mahy Family Playground was deserted, but its dedicated 120-minute limit car park was full.

A worker from a nearby business said colleagues used it for all-day parking, then if someone spotted a parking warden, everyone ran out to move their vehicles.

Locals, like Bert Walker who often explores the Botanic Gardens with his partner, argued the charge in fact targeted genuine park users.

“I would very strongly prefer it to stay free,” Walker said. “It would put a lot of people off if it was paid parking.”

Student Nick Dou said he could not afford the extra cost.

“Fuel is already very expensive, and now they plan to charge for parking when visiting the garden. I can’t afford that.”

Ken Orr, a frequent Hagley Park visitor, said the council should remove barriers to people using the park, not create them.

“The Botanic Gardens and the parks are iconic treasures [and] I believe that the council should be doing everything possible to encourage [people] to enjoy these,” he said.

It’s estimated the charge will generate the council about $2 million a year.