Parking services under review

7 September 2017

A request for proposals to provide parking services in Rotorua has prompted six responses as Council explores the potential for a partnership arrangement that could result in cost efficiencies.

To test the market, Council recently sought proposals for the funding, installation, operations and maintenance of parking equipment, as well as the possible provision of enforcement and prosecution logistics and services.

The six proposals received are now being evaluated and a report and recommendations will go to Council for its consideration, Group Manager Infrastructure, Stavros Michael, told elected members at today's Operations and Monitoring Committee meeting.

Parking equipment such as meters and pay-and-display machines in the central city are in need of modernising, making it a good time to consider how else these services can be provided, he says.

No decision has yet been made but it is envisaged that if Council were to enter into a partnership for the provision of parking services, a longer term contract would be entered into in the first instance and it is envisaged the contract would include all aspects of public parking including supply of technology and associated services like administration and enforcement.

Parking equipment in Rotorua's central city was last updated in 2012/13 when parking sensors were installed in more than 1500 parks.

There are more than 3570 parks in total in the central city including more than 500 metered and pay-and-display parks.

By the numbers - parking in Rotorua

• Highest demand is between 9am and 5pm (business hours)
• The average length of stay is 26 minutes (with the shortest stays during business hours)
• In Pukaki and Whakaue streets, length of stay averages 100 to 120 minutes
• During the hours of highest demand (9am to 5pm) occupancy in most parts of the inner city is between 40-60% (ie 40 to 60% of parks occupied at any given time)
• In areas of highest demand (Eruera, Pukaki, Pukuatua, Tutanekai and Whakaue streets) occupancy is between 70-80% (but still well within Council's parking policy target of 75-85%)

Paradise Valley Road works to start soon

Mr Michael told the committee weather events since March this year had damaged five sites along Paradise Valley Road that now needed remedial works and this was expected to begin in October, weather permitting, and take several months to complete.

With groundwater levels in the area remaining high due to ongoing wet weather, it had not been possible to start the remedial works which, due to the nature of the work required, needed a period of dry weather to ensure the stability of the road and safety of contractors, Mr Michael said.

Starting the work with groundwater levels as high as they currently were could result in further damage to or possible collapse of the road, he said.

Mr Michael's updates were part of the Operational Report which provides updates from all divisions of the council organisation. Go to p32 of the Operations and Monitoring Committee agenda to view the full operational report or see the meeting preview at THIS LINK for highlights.

Also on the agenda . . .

Support for disposal of land parcels

The Committee approved recommendations to stop and dispose parts of two local roads and this will now be considered by the full Council

The two parcels of land are at the end of the Westbourne Avenue cul-de-sac and a piece of road reserve adjoining a property on Hamurana Road. In both cases Council was approached by the owners of adjacent properties.

If Council approves the stopping and disposal of the two pieces of land members of the public will have the opportunity to object.

See pages 24 to 31of the Operations and Monitoring Committee agenda for the full reports on these matters.

Reports from the CCOs

Council-controlled organisations InfraCore Limited, Rotorua Economic Development Limited (Destination Rotorua) and Rotorua Airport Limited reported on their respective performance for the fourth quarter of the financial year ended 30 June.

Go to p14 of the Operations and Monitoring Committee agenda to see the full quarterly report from InfraCore (formerly Rotorua Contracting).

At the end of its first year as a CCO Destination Rotorua, the council's economic development company, has had a net loss of $1402 which was less than the forecasted $195,000, a report to the Operations and Monitoring Committee says. The CCO delivered 94% of key performance measures (subject to audit) and monitoring shows improvements in performance in the tourism sector for year-end with increase market share in business events and visitor spending. Meanwhile, delivery of the investment attraction service model is now complete and market analysis and pre-feasibility studies are underway with Investment New Zealand.

Go to p19 of the Operations and Monitoring Committee agenda to see the full quarterly report from Destination Rotorua.

Rotorua Airport Limited did not have a written report but Chief Executive Mark Gibb gave a presentation to the committee, reporting a net Surplus for the year-end of $614,400 vs a budgeted surplus of $106,200 and an increase on the number of passengers through the airport, a total 234,929 for the year vs 222,983 the previous year.

The presentations given by each of the CCOs can be viewed via the livestreamed recording of today's meeting at THIS LINK. The CCO presentations were at the beginning of the meeting.