Free parking for Christmas - Council’s gift to CBD retailers
Free parking for Christmas - Council's gift to CBD retailers
11 December 2012
RDC Chief Executive Peter Guerin's 'Council Talk' column in today's Daily Post.
It's been a pretty tough year for retailers across New Zealand and many Rotorua retailers have also been experiencing challenging times.
The ubiquitous tentacles of a seemingly endless world-wide economic downturn continue their vice-like grip meaning wallets are staying firmly closed. This has a substantial impact on spending and retailers are among the first to suffer the flow-on effects.
So it's very timely that our mayor and councillors have decided to offer our residents and city retailers a special Christmas gift - free parking in the CBD for two hours over the 12 days of Christmas.
It's an investment that is expected to cost the council approximately $20,000 to $30,000 in lost parking revenue, however it's one which has the potential to make a difference to a lot of people.
As Mayor Kevin Winters said, we know that every dollar counts at this time of the years, so residents will be able to save a few dollars on trips to town for Christmas shopping.
Equally important is the hope that the council's free parking initiative will help stimulate more foot traffic and business during the year's most important retail trading period.
This initiative is part of a comprehensive council package of medium to longer term programmes aimed at revitalising the central city, including free WiFi, our new Walkable City information panels project, and all-weather cover for our Eat Street dining precinct.
The 2-hour free parking gift to the community kicks off on Thursday (13 December) and runs for 12 days, right up to and including Christmas Eve (24 December).
The success or otherwise of the free parking programme will be assessed in the New Year and the findings will form part of a review of parking policies which could potentially see changes signalled in next year's draft annual plan.
And while on the subject of retail businesses I was pleased to be able to take part in the official opening of the new Mitre 10 Mega store adjacent to our CBD last week. This is providing jobs for 70 Rotorua people and additional jobs in other businesses on the same site. The complex is owned by Te Arawa organisation Pukeroa Oruawhata which is working hard to grow the district's retail trade offering while at the same time supporting the CBD where they are a significant landlord.
Another promising sign of some economic confidence in Rotorua is that of new retail businesses coming to our city to set up shop at the new Redwoods Centre on Tarawera Road, as is the possibility of 300 more jobs at a new supermarket complex on Te Ngae Rd.
Also encouraging is the arrival of giant global accounting firm Deloitte. Deloitte has a worldwide network with more than 180,000 staff in 150 countries, and they will be very welcome in Rotorua.
We trust residents of Rotorua will enjoy the council's free parking Christmas gift and we hope it helps our CBD retailers enjoy some good trading patterns over the 12 days of Christmas.