‘Perfect storm’ potential over new Hamilton parking charges and fines

Monday, 30 September 2024

Parking is getting more complex in Hamilton’s CBD from next week as a new charging regime kicks off - at the same time as higher Government-directed parking fines.

A parking shakeup is set to hit Hamilton CBD, just as a fines hike comes into force.

The combo risks creating a “perfect storm” of motorist anger, a senior city councillor warns.

From Tuesday, there will be one hour of free parking - instead of two - in parts of the CBD, and the cost for the second hour will depend on whether the spot is deemed to be high or low demand.

Councillor Geoff Taylor championed the current two hours free CBD parking regime and is worried people aren’t ready for changes.

The increase in fines - for example for double parking or leaving a vehicle in a clearway - is a national move driven by the Ministry of Transport, and also comes into effect on Tuesday.

Councillor Geoff Taylor, who championed the current two hours free CBD parking, was worried the changes hadn’t been well-communicated so far.

“The one thing that you mustn’t do with parking is over-complicate it,” said Taylor, the strategic growth and district plan committee deputy chairperson.

Staff briefed councillors on the introduction of new “demand responsive pricing” in the central city on Wednesday and other councillors, too, had concerns.

Parking wardens will pair up over the next few weeks in the CBD because of the potential for increased motorist grumpiness.

The briefing also discussed the Government-directed increase in parking fines which, for example, mean the maximum overstaying penalty will rise from $57 to $97.

The fine for unlawful use of a mobility park will rise from $150 to $750.

Taylor saw scope for misunderstanding and anger amongst motorists coping with change on two fronts.

“I’m a little worried that there’s going to be a lot of confused people [over parking charges] and it’s going to coincide with hefty increases in fines set by central Government,” said Taylor.

CBD parking charges for the second hour will depend if the spot is in a green or yellow zone.

The briefing heard parking wardens would be working in pairs for the next few weeks to help keep each other safe in a potentially more hostile environment.

The city council is starting an advertising and education campaign about the new regime on Thursday - it will carry on up to and beyond Tuesday.

Under the parking changes, the current two hours free parking in parts of the CBD will drop to one hour free. The second hour will cost $3 for high demand areas and $1 for lower demand areas. All short-stay parking after that will be charged at $6 an hour.

The yellow zone for $1 second hour parking will stretch from London St to Liverpool St, while a $3 for a second hour green zone will be from London St to Anzac Parade.

One of the city’s new on-street parking payment kiosks in the CBD. They’re set to handle an increase level of payments under changes happening next week.

All-day paid parking zones currently costing $6 a day could move up to as much as $12 over time in $3 increments.

The changes are designed to encourage more turnover at short-stay parks to benefit the likes of retailers, and to help manage the demand for more popular all-day park zones.

Payment is through new kiosks or the PayMyPark app.

Asked by Taylor whether the public was ready for the parking changes, operate and maintain unit director Tania Hermann said; “That is a big question. We’re doing the best we can to inform the CBD.”

Like with the introduction of kiosks to register for two hours free, there would be a period of warnings “for new parkers to make that change” on complying with the new regime.

Economic development committee chairperson Ewan Wilson has welcomed the moves to boost parking revenue to help the city grow.

Taylor had heard of confusion over kiosk use already with some people “walking away shaking their head”.

He was worried at staff having the power to make pricing changes without reference to councillors, noting a need for political oversight of sensitive parking matters in the past.

Whether Hamiltonians are ready for the changes is ‘the big question’, operate and maintain unit director Tania Hermann said.

But Hermann said “we’re always open to your feedback”.

Deputy mayor Angela O’Leary said looking again at fees and charges would be “council’s political decision so keep that in mind”.

She said, however, it could be good to consider the council’s ability to alter parking charges temporarily for events or special periods.

Councillor Ewan Wilson said an Aucklander parking in the CBD recently thought Hamilton charges were “too cheap”. He said free parking had cost Hamilton millions in lost revenue in recent years and higher charges would help fill funding gaps.

“We’re growing up as a city. This money goes to a worthy cause and it’s called the city of Hamilton.”

Staff confirmed to councillor Sarah Thomson that people would have the option of paying for portions of an hour, such as 15 minutes.

Hermann also said people could top up their payments remotely using PayMyApp.

Asked by councillor Maxine van Oosten about enforcement of parking overstays under the new system as it bedded in, Hermann said people may be allowed some -breathing space before being ticketed.

Also, for new users of kiosks or apps failing to register there would be an amnesty for a time.

On protecting council parking staff from any extra hostility, parking compliance supervisor William Tarawhiti said they would be pairing up in the CBD for the next few weeks “just to keep an eye on each other”.

Staff said that, since 2017, charging could apply between 8am and 8pm Monday to Saturday.