Source: Radio New Zealand
The Waitaki District Council is considering allowing people aged over the age of 80 park for free in Oamaru. 123RF
The Waitaki District Council is considering allowing people aged over the age of 80 park for free in Oamaru.
Age Concern Otago has asked the council to consider removing parking fees as part of its upcoming parking strategy after new parking meters introduced last December made some elderly people anxious.
Age Concern’s Waitaki coordinator Kathryn Bennett said fear of receiving a $70 parking ticket meant some people had stopped coming into town.
“There is a need to ensure that seniors are treated fairly and have equitable access to their community,” she said.
“Free parking for people 80 and over would benefit this demographic as they are often the most challenged with technology.”
Parking costed $2 per hour in Oamaru and people could get one hour free by entering their number plate details into machines.
Bennett pointed to Gore District Council which had two-hour free parking for people aged over 80, although Age Concern preferred all-day free parking in Waitaki.
Gore’s over-80s parking scheme was introduced in October 2021.
Permit-holders were identified via a parking sticker on the front window of their vehicle, of which there were 357 currently in Gore.
A Gore District Council spokesperson said the policy was designed to support older residents, remove financial barriers and encourage social connection and participation in the CBD.
A report would go to Waitaki District Council later this year.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
