We recently conducted a New Lynn town centre parking review, followed by a parking survey. Some of the results highlighted that there is a high demand for parking space, particularly short-term parking to visit local businesses around Delta Ave.

We’re proposing changes that will improve parking availability and enable better parking management within New Lynn to support growth of the town centre, and its existing activities.

What we’re proposing:

• Paid parking for the car park located at Number 2 Delta Avenue and along McNaughton Way, New Lynn, Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm at a flat fee of $1 per hour.

How these changes benefit your neighbourhood

• Easier, more frequently available, short-term parking opportunities for customers and visitors.
• Greater equity in access to parking in this high demand area.
• Higher number of potential visitors and customers to New Lynn Town Centre
• Other travel options with Bus and cycling connections and Train station nearby.

You can help shape this project by sharing your thoughts.

Proposal Outcome

After reviewing all of the feedback we received, this project will proceed without changes.

It is important to understand that this proposal has been developed in the context that New Lynn is a Transit Oriented Development (TOD), which aims to develop high-density, mixed-use living options near local amenities (Restaurants, Shops, Schools etc.) with links to reliable and frequent public transport. This creates attractive places where people can live and work while also reducing their dependence on their private vehicles in favour of public transport for longer trips and promoting walking and cycling where possible.

Community concerns

Concern that this will have a negative impact on businesses as it would be a financial burden on locals and visitors.

While AT appreciates that this proposal would mean that the parking becomes paid it is a recognised parking management approach and the most effective way to manage demand when supply is restricted and to improve parking availability by encouraging short-term parking over long-term parking. As a benefit, customers visiting these businesses will have more parking opportunities and should be able to find a parking space closer to their destination. 

In addition, we have found that it encourages a better customer experience as it offers parking flexibility where people can pay for the time they need without needing to cut short their trip or worry about overstaying with the risk of receiving an infringement.

The proposal applies Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm and parking remains unrestricted outside of these times during the week and all weekends. 

Concern that this will have a negative impact on employees and businesses as this carpark is used for staff parking.

This concern is common across the region for those businesses that do not have sufficient staff parking. Auckland Transport (AT) understands that existing public transport services might not meet everyone’s needs. However, we cannot ignore the existing problem of overcrowded parking just because other challenges exist. New Lynn being a TOD has extremely good public transport links to both the rail and bus networks. AT is investing heavily in improvements on the public transport network, to improve access to all parts of Auckland. We have also introduced the New Public Transport Network across Auckland, with increased frequency and quality of service across the city.

The cost of car parking can influence which transport mode people use. Paid parking will encourage people to consider other alternatives such as walking, cycling, or carpooling, especially for those commuting from nearby suburbs and parking will improve once these motorists switch to other modes which will then improve parking availability for those coming from far away locations. 

Auckland Transport can assist local businesses in developing travel plans for their staff. More information is available here www.at.govt.nz/driving-parking/ways-to-get-around-auckland/working-with-businesses/workplace-travel-planning/ 

Concerned that people will lose access to public transport if they cannot park here.

It is not  AT’s intention that this car park acts as an informal park and ride. We very much see it as supporting the economic vitality of local businesses in the area. Currently, it has poor availability which makes it difficult for those looking for short-term parking to find it and can deter them from visiting.  

There are other parking alternatives in New Lynn for those who prefer to drive such as the McCrae Way car park.

Concern that the proposal aims to increase revenue for AT/AC.

The purpose of this proposal is to manage parking demand, improve availability and encourage other modes of transport.

Any revenue is invested back into the wider Auckland community in the way of providing better transport infrastructure and transport options such as new bus and train interchanges, T2/T3 lanes, bus lanes, clearways etc.

Suggestions

We received the following suggestions:

Better lighting in the carpark for safety once the carpark generates money.

 While we feel this is a reasonable request it is important to note that street lighting, including lighting in carparks, does not form part of this project as it is a capital investment. We will forward the request for consideration to the relevant team within AT.

First hour free

This is not a preferred option as it causes confusion and an assumption that this rule applies to other paid parking areas as well. We will proceed with the $1 per hour as per the proposal with a 

10-minute free grace period as is allowed in all paid parking zones to allow quick drop-ins by customers. 

Need more parking (Multi-story, and Park n Rides)

AT has no plans to invest in additional car parking capacity. We firmly believe that with better management to focus on short-term demand we can encourage mode change for those looking for long-term parking and utilise the existing capacity more effectively.