The National Party has released a plan for Auckland, including a promise to remove the blanket ban on minimum car parking requirements in city and district plans.
The nine-page plan is mostly made up of policies National has already enacted (such as the Auckland Deal, more events at Eden Park, and scrapping the regional fuel tax) and policies already announced on the campaign trail (such as funding for Mill Road stage one, dedicated transport police, and more money for Pharmac).
But the plan also contains a commitment to remove a blanket ban on minimum car parking requirements.
The requirements were originally abolished in an aim to encourage intensification, and reduce car dependency.
But National said while it supported growth, some people were concerned what it meant for them and their streets, particularly in the suburbs.
Transport spokesperson Chris Bishop said in some cases, people were having to walk ten minutes or more to get home from where they have parked.
"The blanket ban on minimum car parking requirements has not worked. The economic theory behind it did not account for the reality of New Zealand's suburban streets. Many streets, especially in Auckland, are clogged and hard to get through, and people are now parking on berms and footpaths."
The document said along with abolishing the blanket ban, National would allow councils to use minimum car parking requirements in suburban areas outside those identified for intensification.
It would mean councils could set minimum parking requirements in suburban neighbourhoods, greenfield subdivisions, and business and industrial parks.
Earlier this year, Franklin Ward councillor Andy Baker told Morning Report that developments were occurring in areas where there was not sufficient public transport.
"People need vehicles, and there's no ability for them to park, and so you're getting people parking on footpaths, you're getting people parking in empty sections in developments, on neighbouring properties," he said in Feburary.
"It's causing anxiety, it's causing disputes, it's a failed experiment that needs to change."
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including why a summer of cyclones could be on the way, and 911 audio shows confusion in the wake of a botched execution. (Source: Breakfast)
SHARE ME