Changes to how Hamiltonians pay for short-term parking in the central city kick off next week, following decisions made by Hamilton City Council through the 2024-34 Long-Term Plan in July.
From 1 October, the current offer of two-hours free parking on central city streets will be reduced to one-hour free parking. The cost for the second hour will be either $1 or $3 depending on where you park.
Here’s the top things you need to know about the changes on 1 October:
- You can park for one hour free in the central city. You must register via the kiosk or PayMyPark app to receive your free parking.
- The central city has been split into two zones. Street signs and green or yellow stickers on the kiosks will let you know which zone you’ve parked in.
- If you park in a green zone you need to pay at a green zone parking kiosk. If you park in a yellow zone you need to pay at a yellow zone parking kiosk.
- You will pay either $1 or $3 for the second hour depending on which zone you park in. Additional hours will cost $6 per hour.
- You can pay for any zone using the PayMyPark app and entering in the street you’ve parked on.
- Mobility parks and service delivery are not affected.
- From 1 October, central government has increased parking infringement fees. So, if you get a parking ticket, the fine will be higher.
- There are no price changes to $6 all-day parking in the surrounding streets on 1 October. However, areas on Seddon Road and Ward Street will change to all-day parking on this date.
More detail about the zone and central Government’s increased parking infringement fees can be found here www.hamilton.govt.nz/parking.
Operate and Maintain Unit Director Tania Hermann said the change means people may find it easier to find a park in the central city.
“Parking is an important part of the central city’s transport system. But there is limited space.
“We’ve heard from our central city businesses that they need a high turnover of carparks to keep people coming and going from the city. The new model we’re introducing will help improve availability and encourage a steady flow of short-term visitors for shopping and entertainment.”
The zones and second hour of pricing Council’s introducing are based off a demand-responsive model used across other New Zealand cities and around the world. The zones are based off occupancy data – green has locations that fill up quickly, and yellow has locations that fill up more slowly.
This is to meet the ideal parking occupancy rate of 85% said Hermann.
“Essentially every one in seven parks should be available.
“Our data is showing that central city parking rates are higher than 85%. In some areas, only one in every 10 parks has been available. In many areas, no parks at all.
“The central city is a premium location at the heart of our growing city – more people are tipped to live centrally, and the new Waikato Regional Theatre and hotels are coming. In terms of finding the best park, I liken it to buying a ticket at a concert – if you want the best parking spot, you pay the premium, if you’re happy with further away, you’ll get it a little cheaper.”
Key facts:
- On average, more than 50,000 people park in the central city a month.
- There are 16,066 people registered on PayMyPark.
- Average distance from parking bay to a kiosk is 25m.
- Currently, on average more than 70% of people leave their park within the hour.
Central city:
- The central city contributed an estimated $3.2 billion (about 25%) to Hamilton's GDP for the year to March 2023.
- There are 2600 businesses and 22,000 people are employed in the central city.
- Almost 2000 Hamiltonians call the central city home.
- The median age in the central city is 32 years.
- Open spaces make up 10% of the central city.
- 6% of indigenous vegetation remains in the central city.