The Waitaki District Council in New Zealand is weighing a proposal to waive parking fees for residents aged 80 and over in Oamaru, following concerns raised by Age Concern Otago about the impact of recently installed parking meters on elderly residents.
The issue arose after the council introduced new parking meters in December, charging $2 per hour with an initial one hour of free parking available by entering vehicle registration details into the machines. Age Concern Otago’s Waitaki coordinator, Kathryn Bennett, stated that the new system has caused anxiety among some seniors, with some now avoiding the town center altogether for fear of incurring a $70 parking ticket. “There is a require to ensure that seniors are treated fairly and have equitable access to their community,” Bennett said. She added that older residents often face challenges with technology, making the digital payment system difficult to navigate.
Age Concern Otago has formally requested the council consider the free parking initiative as part of its upcoming parking strategy review. Bennett highlighted the example of the Gore District Council, which implemented a scheme in October 2021 offering two hours of free parking to those over 80, utilizing a permit system with a parking sticker displayed on the vehicle. Currently, 357 permits have been issued in Gore. A spokesperson for the Gore District Council explained the policy aims to support older residents, reduce financial barriers, and promote social engagement within the central business district.
While Age Concern Otago prefers a policy of all-day free parking in Waitaki, the council is currently evaluating the feasibility of the proposal. A report detailing potential options will be presented to the Waitaki District Council later this year. The Age Concern Otago office in Oamaru is located at 30 Eden Street, with contact available via telephone at 03 434 7008 or freephone 0800 65 2 105.
