In a welcome turn of events, the Dunedin City Council has revised their proposal for parking changes along Harbour Terrace. The original proposal was to convert 60 unrestricted parking spaces on Harbour Terrace into P240, imposing a time limit on parking. Naturally, local residents (mainly students) were a bit alarmed at the news suggesting the already competitive parking could become even more of a shitshow.
Following an onslaught of submissions in what might be the most local political engagement from students in a while, the DCC has compromised on the proposal. “After analysing the submissions we received, we have modified our proposal to retain more unrestricted parking in the area. We are now proposing to convert 18 unrestricted car parks to P240 unpaid car parks and 2 P5 unpaid car parks outside the McMillan Hockey Centre,” said the DCC.
So what were these submissions that the DCC have so diligently analysed? To save you the reading, Critic Te Ārohi found a whopping 122 submissions in opposition to the original proposal. Given the location in a largely student-populated area, a significant number of the submissions were from students – channelling their inner NIMBY.
One Harbour Terrace resident, Andrew* who Critic had spoken to, said, “We don’t have much of a say against these matters so to even have these changes proposed is a win.” He argued that the changes had come about because “there were enough voices that they were forced into listening […] there were enough opinions that it mattered.”
Those who work in the area also chimed in. One submission from the Otago University Childcare Association (located nearby) commented that “we have a massive problem with people overstaying in the parks outside our centre.” They were concerned that restricting the parks would cause people to use their unrestricted parks instead, placing greater pressure on parents trying to collect their children. Ultimately, it’s clear the impact of the changes stretches beyond students.
A mere 13 submissions were in favour of the proposal. ‘Sport Otago’ was the loudest of these voices, writing, “Sport Otago fully supports the efforts that the Council makes to provide easy and safe access to the city’s sports fields and facilities and the proposed changes to restricted parking on Harbour Terrace supports this approach.”
Sport Otago went even further to express a preference for a more restrictive change. Consistent with Logan Park Drive, they would see the 60 parks be changed to P120 instead – two hours shorter than the initially proposed P240. “At peak times […] [Logan Park is] flooded with kids being dropped off and parents trying to find car parks. This is both stressful for the parents with the limited parking opportunities and potentially dangerous for the children being dropped off.”
Critic Te Ārohi has been informed that part of the issue lies in the fact that Harbour Terrace is technically recreationally zoned, not residentially. Therefore, it makes sense that the DCC hasn’t scrapped the proposal entirely and remains attentive to recreational needs as well as residential interests. Because zoning laws are just a hoot.
A DCC spokesperson told Critic Te Ārohi, “This compromise aims to accommodate the needs of Harbour Terrace residents and both commuting students and people using sports facilities in the area. It’s important to note this change remains a proposal only, and a final decision will be made by the Hearings Committee.”
A hearing is scheduled for Friday September 13th, where OUSA President Keegan Wells will be present to speak on behalf of the student body. Let’s hope Friday 13th doesn’t screw with the verdict.
*Name changed.