QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
FOR MEETING OF 19 DECEMBER 2007
REPORT FOR AGENDA ITEM:
SUBMITTED BY: Jo Conroy – Lakes Property Services
REPORT DATED: 6 December 2007
PARKING AT FRANKTON MARINA RECREATION RESERVE
PURPOSE
To consider parking restrictions at Frankton Marina recreation reserve pursuant to the Reserves
Act 1977.
BACKGROUND
For some years there have been issues with parking at Frankton Marina. Previous years the
issue was mainly with trailers left on the reserve when the boat owners took their boats to their
mooring, and the vehicles parked by commercial operators on Sugar Lane.
Before summer each year we have notified Council’s intention to tow away any trailers left on
the reserve long-term, and following the first year when the trailers were towed, the owners
then generally remove them.
This year we also have a problem with commercial operators using the reserve to leave
vehicles overnight and longer for their convenience, for example buses, trucks, truck trailers.
Obviously it is a bit more difficult to tow a bus.
We have again notified Council’s intention to tow any trailers left on the reserve long-term, but
have extended it to include all vehicles. We have also advised that parking on the reserve is
only available to users of the reserve, and that if any vehicles are parked by people not using
the reserve they will be issued with a parking infringement notice.
There are small signs in the reserve advising that long-term parking is not permitted, but apart
from early every summer, little enforcement is carried out. Note that Sugar Lane itself is
recreation reserve rather than legal road, and the Reserves Act allows parking on reserves only
for those enjoying the reserve. The commercial operators and residents on Sugar lane generally
have on-site parking available as shown below.
In liaison with the enforcement team at Lakes Environment and the harbourmasters office,
various options have been suggested for how the parking restrictions would be best structured
for example:
1. That only those vehicles associated with launching and retrieving boats should be
able to park. This would mean that any vehicle without a boat trailer would be
parked illegally and would also affect other users of the recreation reserve.
2. That only short term parking by users of the recreation reserve is permitted. This
would be harder to monitor, but would control overnight parking. However, it would
then cause difficulty for any boaties that want to do an overnight trip and leave their
vehicle and trailer on the reserve.
3. An area where vehicles with trailers only can park overnight but not long term, and
no overnight parking or parking by those other than users of the recreation reserve in
the other areas. For example, there could be parking in the “trailer park” (formed
park at the Queenstown end of the marina reserve) for vehicles with trailers only.
4. No further restrictions but increased enforcement.
5. Status Quo. Note that parking trends will change in the area if/when the Marina is
developed.
If options one, two or three are chosen, then we suggest that new signage be installed as soon
as possible, along with windscreen notices advising of the changes, prior to enforcement
starting.
The review of the Frankton Marina Recreation reserve management plan in 1996 states the
following about parking:
Policy 10:
To provide designated parking for short and medium term
parking as demand requests, and parking for up to six coach/tour bus parks.
Policy 11:
To prohibit overnight coach parking within the area.
Policy 12:
To control bus/tour coach drop-off and turnaround areas.
Policy 13:
To enforce provisions relating to the allocated parking areas. If
vehicles/trailers are not parked in accordance with the restrictions imposed by
the relevant administering body, QLDC will retain the right to remove these
vehicles/trailers after reasonable attempts to contact the owners in accordance
with Council policy.
SIGNIFICANCE OF DECISION
Not significant under Council’s policy.
CONSULTATION - INTERESTED OR AFFECTED PERSONS
Due to time constraints we have already notified Council’s intention to tow vehicles parked
long-term on the reserve, and to issue infringement notices to those parking for reasons other
than use of the recreation reserve.
RELEVANT COUNCIL POLICIES
Reserves Act 1977, the Frankton Marina Reserve Management Plan review from 1996.
DISCUSSION
The problem with parking is highlighted during the summer period when boaties want to
launch their boat, leave their boat and trailer nearby while they are out and then retrieve their
boat later in the day. This becomes difficult when all available parking is taken up by long
term trailer storage, commercial vehicles, staff parking and the like. It is also quite unsightly
for the recreation reserve to be cluttered by old cars and various commercial vehicles, and is in
conflict with the Reserves Act.
OPTIONS
Options for controlling parking at Frankton Marina include the following:
1. That only those vehicles associated with launching and retrieving boats should be able
to park.
2. That only short term parking by users of the recreation reserve is permitted.
3. An area where vehicles with trailers only can park overnight but not long term, and no
overnight parking in the other areas, and all parking restricted to users of the recreation
reserve.
4. No further restrictions but increased enforcement.
5. Status Quo.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Costs incurred in producing signs and flyers can be met from the current property budget.
DELEGATIONS REGISTER REFERENCE
This matter does not have any impact on delegations.
RECOMMENDATION
1. That the Queenstown Lakes District Council approve the follow parking
restrictions at the Frankton marina:
a) Parking for vehicles with trailers only in the trailer park, but no long
term parking (eg more than two days).
b) All other areas, no parking except by private (non-commercial) users of
the recreation reserve and no overnight parking.
2. That the Queenstown Lakes District Council approve appropriate signage,
advertising and flyers to be used to inform the public of the above parking
restrictions.
3. That enforcement be undertaken by Lakes Environment and infringement
notices issued as necessary from 26 December 2007.
Document Outline
