Tighter parking controls for Paihia

A review of parking issues at Paihia will have implications for local business owners and residents who have traditionally utilized the school end of Williams Road for all-day parking.

Acting Regulatory Operations Manager Stewart Wright said today the council had previously not been policing the 60-minute parking restriction for the south-west section of Williams Road.

“That is now changing and the local community needs to be aware that the parking restriction will be enforced and tickets will be issued,” Mr Wright said.

To accommodate the business community special “permits” would be issued to business proprietors which if displayed on their vehicles would exempt the vehicle from the attention of enforcement officers –but only in Williams Road in the area adjoining the Paihia School, on both sides of Bayview Road northeast of the Selwyn Road junction, and on both sides of Selwyn Road north-west of the Selwyn Road service lane.

Mr Wright said the council was recognizing the parking difficulties face by the business community, while at the same time attempting to achieve a regular turnover of kerbside parking to the advantage of both local shoppers and the visitor industry.

“The local business association, Business Paihia Inc, will decide who the recipients of the business permits will be and the permits will be limited to 100 vehicles. This is just a temporary measure for the next three months. It will buy time to enable a full review of the Parking & Traffic Control schedules next year,” he said.

The council has also moved to address complaints at the practice adopted by campervans of monopolizing prime waterfront locations at Paihia for overnight and extended parking. As a temporary measure advisory road signs have been erected directing campervans to purpose-designed locations such as the Williams Road carpark.

The council intends to consult with local communities through the Community Boards before addressing campervan parking issues across the Far North next year.