Councillors have been asked for direction on whether the new gravel carpark on the former Polytech site on Cameron Street should be paid parking.

A report to be discussed at Wednesday’s Council meeting is recommending the carpark have pay-by-plate technology, at the rate of $3 a day for users.

A parking fee would bring the Cameron Street carpark into line with the Eastfields carpark, which is also on the fringe of the CBD.

Group Manager of Compliance and Development Ian Hyde said the gravel carpark would be developed once the former polytech building had been finally demolished.

“We think this work will be complete by April, so we’re asking councillors for direction on parking arrangements, specifically whether the carpark should be paid parking or not.”

Two pay-by-plate parking units would cost about $14,000 to install initially, and the Cameron Street carpark has been conservatively estimated to return about $34,500 a year in parking fees. The carpark would be patrolled by Council parking staff.

The Eastfield carpark returns about $43,700 a year.

Mr Hyde said while the Cameron Street carpark was bigger, it might not be used so much because it was slightly further from the town centre, especially initially.

“This type of paid parking is commonplace in cities and towns the size of Ashburton and we have seen an increase in recent years of other paid parking areas in the town.”

If paid parking is introduced, users will enter the site, park their vehicle, and make payment at the designated pay-by-plate unit before leaving on foot. Staff would investigate alternative payment methods such as mobile payment apps linked to the units, which could be introduced later.

You can read the full report in the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, online at ashburtondc.govt.nz. The meeting will also be livestreamed on Council’s Facebook and You Tube channels.