‘Pros and cons' to time-limiting St Clair all-day parks

Otago Daily Times

01-05-2025

Surfing New Zealand South Island director Jimi Higgins says a Dunedin City Council proposal to turn all-day parking into time-restricted spots could hurt competitions but help recreational surfers keen for a parking spot near the water. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN
Proposed parking changes at St Clair Beach present "pros and cons" for surfers, but nearby businesses could benefit from an end to people taking up a parking spot all day at the often bustling Dunedin destination.
The Dunedin City Council has proposed a change to a range of parking restrictions in and around the Esplanade at St Clair.
In general, all-day parking spaces in the area are earmarked to become either two-hour or four-hour time-restricted spaces along with several five-minute spots.
Surfing New Zealand South Island director Jimi Higgins said the proposal "had its pros and cons", benefiting those who wanted to get into the water for an hour or so, or perhaps attend a surfing lesson.
But surfing competitions could suffer because visitors relied on the all-day parking spots, often pulling up for a day or two while a competition was on.
"I think for recreational surfing it might be quite good because it frees up a lot of parks," Mr Higgins said.
"We've been noticing there's a lot of parking issues down there with people parking all day or having to park blocks away to go visit the beach.
"But for our competitions it's going to negatively impact that because we have people coming from around Otago, around Dunedin and even around the country who like to get involved.
"And they normally park there the whole day or maybe for a couple of days to compete and spectate and they won't be able to do that any more."
St Clair played host to about five competitions a year, including the recent South Island Champs over Easter, which is the second biggest event in the country.
"We had visitors from the Far North, Taranaki, all across the country coming down in their motorhomes, parking up at St Clair Beach, spending money at all the restaurants and the businesses.
"And now they won't be able to do that."
Restaurateur Katrina Toovey owns the busy Italian eatery Esplanade and the recently opened wine bar Piccolo and artisan gelato store Sorella Gelato next door.
She said at present the parking in the area was "a bit hectic" and the number of cars moving through the beachfront area put people, often unaccompanied children, at risk.
Yet, Ms Toovey welcomed an end to all-day parking.
"I think it's good for visitors to the area," she said.
"It means that the parks will turn as opposed to someone being there sometimes for days and days, to be honest."
Council transport group manager Jeanine Benson said the proposed changes aimed to increase parking turnover and availability, and to help better meet the needs of local businesses and the community.
The proposal would not result in the removal or loss of any free parking spaces in the area and all parks would still remain free of charge.
Parking in the council managed carpark overlooking the Esplanade and ocean would remain unrestricted.
Feedback would be taken into consideration before any final decisions were made, she said.
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