Kerikeri carpark

The Far North’s first public car parking building is proposed to be developed at Kerikeri as a result of an agreement reached between a private developer and the Far North District Council.

The council has agreed to sell part of the Julian carpark off Homestead Road to a private developer, who will design and build a multi-storey parking building, unit title the building and sell back to the council one of the floors.

The council will have the same number of sealed parking places (though under cover) and a new public toilet once the facility has been fully developed.

General Manager District Facilities Alastair Wells said today that once all the details were worked through there was clearly a demonstrable advantage for the community.

“This is a project we have been working on for nearly two years, and it will be a win-win situation for the community. By working alongside the developer there will be a better utilisation of the land available in the area to the advantage of all parties.

“The community will benefit from the improved public parking and toilet facilities. However there should also be wider benefits to the public as a result of the proposed land rationalisation with opportunities for the private sector to vastly improve retail and commercial facilities in the area,” he said.

“The proposed arrangement is not unique but it certainly is a first for the Far North. The proposal has the potential to become a model for the way in which the private and public sectors can work in co-operation to the benefit of both parties and the community at large,” he said.