Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) plans to ensure businesses must continue to provide accessible/mobility parking.

Elected members have approved a proposal for a publicly notified plan change to secure accessible parking despite the National Policy Statement on Urban Development’s (NPS-UD) requirement for minimum parking requirements to be culled.

The plan change will “ensure that the mandated removal of non-accessible parking minimums does not alter the current requirements (status quo) for on-site accessible parking,” QLDC policy planner Tara Hurley said.

It would also mean the number of parks provided alongside development was not “left to the market”.

QLDC planning and development general manager Tony Avery said changes driven by the new policy statement mean developers and businesses could choose whether or not to provide on-site parking (other than accessible parking) and a minimum number of parks would not be able to be required by the district plan. 

However, the effects of car parking would still be able to be considered in the resource consent process for discretionary or non-complying activities, he said. 

"The NPS-UD separates accessible parking from other car parks, stating that local authorities need not remove provisions for accessible parking from district plans,” Tony said. 

"They are an important part of ensuring accessibility for people who have restricted mobility."

This plan change approved by council ensures accessible car parks are provided for by the district plan, even if other on-site car parks are not provided.

With public notification approved, submissions on the amendments regarding accessible parking provisions will begin at the end of October. 

The removal of non-accessible car parking minimums will be undertaken by QLDC by February 2022, the date mandated by the NPS-UD.

PHOTO: Wānaka App