Parking charges likely to be introduced across Hagley Park
Thursday, 23 May 2024
Parking charges are likely to be introduced across Christchurch’s Hagley Park but councillors can not agree on the details.
Some want the first hour free, others are calling for just weekends to be free while some councillors support charging for parking seven days a week.
The proposal to introduce parking charges across Hagley Park, including the Botanic Gardens, was included in Christchurch City Council’s draft 10-year budget, the Long Term Plan (LTP).
The council would generate $2 million a year if it charged $4.60 for three hours across the 620 car parks.
During consultation on the LTP, close to 1100 people provided feedback on the proposal, with 43% opposing the charges and 30% supported them. Another 19% suggested alternatives.
Mayor Phil Mauger said people were currently parking in the free parks all day and walking to work, and charging was a way to deter that and get some revenue back.
Staff said a significant majority of the car parks on the perimeter of Hagley Park and several nearby streets would continue to be free.
The topic was one of a number of issues discussed by the council on Wednesday during deliberations on the LTP, following 7040 public submissions.
No decisions will be made until late June.
This level of discussion and deliberation is usually done behind closed doors, however, the council decided earlier this year to hold most briefings in public following a recommendation by chief ombudsman Peter Boshier.
The $94m Akaroa wastewater scheme was also discussed and it appeared to have widespread support around the council table despite concerns from residents.
The scheme involves planting native trees in Robinsons Bay and Hammond Point and irrigating them using treated wastewater stored in tanks and in a wetland.
About 1200 homes and businesses are expected to benefit from the scheme - a cost of $78,000 per connection.
Many residents have long been opposed to the plan and some told the council earlier this month they wanted a cheaper solution found that was more resilient to climate change.
Cr Sara Templeton, who was on the hearings panel that looked into the issue, said she had not seen any new issues raised recently by the community.
“Yes, the costs are mind-boggling. The option is still the best one.”
Cr Aaron Keown said he did not disagree with Templeton, but wanted to make sure the wastewater could be used for firefighting.
Mauger said the council had its “back to the wall” with the project and it did not have an option. However, he said the council needed to get leakages fixed even if it had to go property by property and help residents with the leaks.
Cr Yani Johanson said he did not know how the council could justify spending that much money on a “deeply troubled” scheme.
It also appears the Christchurch Santa parade could be in line for an additional $50,000 and Mauger wanted the council to put $5m on the 2028 budget for the Airforce Museum, subject to a business case being accepted.
The Airforce Museum has asked the council for help to fund a $20m exhibition hangar to house a retired Orion plane.
It was not clear how much support this had around the council table.
Councillors also discussed introducing a Climate Resilience Fund in 2025 and adding another $200,000 during financial years 2025, 2026 and 2027 to the Biodiversity Fund.
Staff said several submitters told the council it was not doing enough to support biodiversity, ecological restoration and sustainability.
The Climate Resilience Fund could amass around $127m during the life of the LTP and could be used to move or raise roads vital for communities. It could also be used to protect drinking water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure and ensure community facilities exposed to climate hazards were more resilient.
LTP deliberations will continue into next week.