Key Takeaways
- The Department of Conservation (DOC) is trialing paid parking fees at three major sites: Aoraki/Mt Cook, Punakaiki/Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau
- The fees aim to help DOC pay for upkeep, but concerns have been raised about people parking off-road or on the roadside to avoid charges
- DOC is aware of the concerns and is monitoring the impact of the paid parking pilot
- The department is committed to developing a visitor network focused on maintaining and improving great nature experiences
- Paid parking will help fund this work, but there are no quick fixes for the issues that come with high numbers of visitors to iconic places
Introduction to the Issue
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has introduced paid parking fees at three major sites in New Zealand: Aoraki/Mt Cook, Punakaiki/Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau. The fees are being trialed from this week until next June, with the aim of helping DOC pay for upkeep and maintenance of these popular tourist destinations. However, concerns have been raised by groups including police, NZTA, Heritage NZ, and the NZ Alpine Club about the potential impact of the fees on visitor behavior. Specifically, there are worries that people may opt to park off-road or on the roadside, including on state highways, in order to avoid the charges.
Concerns About Visitor Behavior
The concerns about visitor behavior are not unfounded, as the White Horse Hill carpark in Aoraki/Mt Cook has been overfilling for years, long before paid parking was introduced. In fact, there are often hundreds of cars parked along the roadside, which can create safety issues and congestion. DOC has been aware of this problem for some time and is now implementing temporary traffic management plans on Hooker Valley Road, Tasman Valley Road, and the state highway to manage road safety and access over the summer. However, it is acknowledged that paid parking will not resolve capacity issues in the short term, and DOC is investigating longer-term solutions to address these problems.
Measures to Address Capacity Issues
At Punakaiki, parking is restricted or allocated for specific vehicles on the state highway along the front of the commercial precinct and along the opposite side of the road. While early indications suggest that visitors are doing the right thing, there is a chance that paid parking may influence driver behavior and some vehicles may park in restricted areas on the state highway. If driver behavior creates safety issues, DOC will work with NZTA on mitigation strategies. In addition, DOC plans to expand an existing carpark at Punakaiki to increase parking capacity, which will reduce the risk of vehicles possibly parking unsafely on the state highway. This expansion is part of DOC’s broader efforts to develop a visitor network that prioritizes great nature experiences while also ensuring safety and sustainability.
The Need for Long-Term Solutions
The introduction of paid parking fees is just one part of DOC’s efforts to manage the impacts of high visitor numbers at iconic sites. The department is committed to developing a visitor network that maintains and improves great nature experiences, while also addressing the challenges that come with high numbers of visitors. However, there are no quick fixes for these issues, and DOC recognizes that a long-term approach is needed. By monitoring the impact of the paid parking pilot and gathering data on visitor behavior, DOC can inform its decision-making and develop effective solutions to address capacity issues and ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the introduction of paid parking fees at Aoraki/Mt Cook, Punakaiki/Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau is a trial that aims to help DOC pay for upkeep and maintenance of these popular tourist destinations. While concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the fees on visitor behavior, DOC is aware of these concerns and is taking steps to address them. The department is committed to developing a visitor network that prioritizes great nature experiences, while also ensuring safety and sustainability. As the trial continues, DOC will monitor the impact of the paid parking pilot and gather data on visitor behavior, which will inform its decision-making and help to develop effective solutions to address capacity issues and ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.