Stand Up for Local Businesses & Community!
Bring Jackson Street back to life – 90 minutes Free Parking
Council’s unfair decision is killing Jackson Street businesses including job losses, – it’s ruining our main street
During last year’s Long – Term Plan process, Mayor Campbell Barry and the Councillors voted to introduce paid parking 7 days a week on Jackson Street and the Peel car park (behind the library).
The community including Jackson Street businesses, the Petone Community Board, Petone residents and The Jackson Street Programme (JSP) told Council of the noticeable absence of shoppers and the dire consequence this parking charge was having on business revenue, community vibrancy, and jobs.
The Mayor said that without parking being introduced in Jackson Street (and increased in the CBD) rates would need to rise another 1% to help pay mainly for 3 waters pipes. So, the failure of previous councils and Wellington Water is being loaded onto Jackson Street, but the 1% rates increase would have been more fair because all city residents are responsible for the cost of water pipes.
A survey by the JSP, showed that 10 businesses alone have seen combined yearly revenue drop approximately $1.0 million. Many businesses are struggling and/or now unprofitable, and some are taking the difficult decision to let go of staff or reduce their hours. However, the current Council does not seem to care about the Petone community or smaller family businesses and jobs.
Come to the meeting on 18th September at the Petone Baptist Church (38 Buick Street, Petone) 7:00pm – 8:30pm, and ask for your community’s sake, “why can’t have 90 minutes free parking?”
