Sign In / Register
Leigh businesses are calling on the Department of Conservation to delay plans to introduce paid parking at Goat Island, saying too many questions remain unanswered.
The Leigh Business Community (LBC) has formally opposed DOC’s proposed December 2026 start date, arguing that the scheme should not proceed until its potential effects on businesses, residents and visitors have been properly assessed.
LBC says it is not opposed to sensible management of parking at Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island, but believes DOC is moving too quickly.
The group says affected businesses and other key stakeholders have not had enough opportunity to understand the proposal, provide local information and have their concerns considered before implementation.
The LBC’s concerns are heightened by DOC’s own business case, which identifies communications and stakeholder engagement as a significant risk.
The business case also acknowledges the possibility of “perverse outcomes” at pilot sites and surrounding areas.
LBC says those potential consequences should be investigated before the scheme begins, rather than discovered afterwards.
The business group is questioning the evidence behind DOC’s assumptions about visitor numbers, vehicle use, parking demand and how visitors are likely to respond to charges.
It wants to know what Goat Island-specific data DOC has used, where that information came from and whether local business knowledge has been incorporated into the decision-making process.
There are also concerns about the potential effects on tourism and hospitality businesses, dive and snorkelling operators, boat operators, concessionaires and educational providers.
LBC is particularly concerned that charging could push visitors to park on surrounding roads and other areas to avoid the fees, potentially shifting rather than solving congestion problems.
DOC’s business case identifies revenue generation and funding visitor facilities as purposes of the parking programme, says LBC.
The group wants greater transparency about how much revenue is expected, the costs of operating the scheme, where the net proceeds will go and how much will be reinvested at Goat Island.
The group has also lodged an Official Information Act request seeking information about DOC’s decision-making, assumptions, consultation, impact assessments, financial modelling, revenue allocation and the legal basis for the proposed charges.
LBC is also questioning the choice of December for the rollout, given the November general election and the Conservation Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
It says it is not suggesting the election or proposed legislation automatically prevents DOC from proceeding, but believes there is little justification for rushing ahead while the wider policy and legislative environment remains uncertain.
LBC says a delay would allow DOC to test its assumptions against local evidence, assess potential economic and parking impacts and engage properly with affected stakeholders.
