Parking is a huge issue in Riccarton, which is one of the most difficult areas in suburban Christchurch. As a result of the earthquakes, many Central City businesses have moved to the suburbs, particularly in the west, and this pressure is added to by the large mall and Canterbury University.

 The City Council is discussing long-term solutions, particularly for on-street parking.

Consultation closes on Monday, 21 November. People can make an online submission via the City Council website, or they can pick up consultation forms from Council libraries and service centres.

Providing parking offers many benefits for the community, but the council says there are also costs, such as environmental impacts, increased traffic, financial and opportunity costs, urban sprawl, and safety issues.

A parking plan for the central city has recently been adopted and now the council is considering how parking in suburban areas could be better managed. A discussion document outlines the challenges with managing suburban parking and explores some options of how to respond to those challenges. It can be read online at https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Transport/Improvements-planning/suburban-parking-discussion-document.pdf

Council is seeking public feedback on the responses it has so far received, and is open to feedback up to 21 November. More information on where the council is at so far, and how to respond, can be found at https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/193