RESTORE FREE EVENING AND WEEKEND PARKING IN WELLINGTON

Do you remember the good old days when we had free evening and weekend parking when we went to Wellington city? Would you like it to be restored so you can go into the city to enjoy a meal or do some shopping without having to pay for parking?

Businesses in Wellington CBD pay an additional tax of $18 million a year through the Downtown Levy, or Downtown Targeted Rate. That’s over and above commercial rates, which are the highest in the country.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central Chief Executive Simon Arcus says the levy’s initial purpose was 'to support activities like subsidising free parking in the city and promotional days for businesses. These have a clear correlation to a positive impact on businesses.' Instead, it is being used almost exclusively for tourism, with retail and hospitality getting no promotion. And there is no assessment of the benefit this spending brings to businesses that pay it. Simon says, 'Downtown businesses, which are paying for this levy, don’t believe these promotions produce distinct benefits for their businesses that justify a specific targeted levy'.

Businesses are run by people, and people are struggling. The Council should listen to the people they are collecting money on how it should be used.

Rate payers, Residents and Businesses - let's unite and ask our Council to do the right thing - restore free downtown parking from 6 pm weekdays and for the weekends.

https://chng.it/fNpNZ5v6Zs