Council Meeting wrap-up: Lower parking charges proposed and dogs in New Plymouth’s CBD approved

A proposal to reduce parking charges in New Plymouth’s CBD from $3 to $2 an hour is likely to be included in NPDC’s draft Long-Term Plan for public consultation next year.

At today’s Council meeting, elected members debated a range of options for metered and time-restricted parking in the CBD, including indicative costs and revenue impacts.

As well as the reduced parking rate, the Council is proposing to:

• Allow SuperGold holders to park free for two hours at any time of day.
• Retain the two-hour parking limit on Devon Street.
• Consider a capital project to secure the Downtown Carpark through managed entry and to retain one level for casual parking and reverting the remaining levels to leased parking.

Councillors are due to make interim decisions on the draft 2027-2037 Long-term Plan in December. 

The Council also approved a range of changes to parking controls across New Plymouth including mobility parking, loading zones, time-restricted parking at various locations  motorhome parks.

It also asked staff for a district-wide review of mobility parking to identify gaps and develop a prioritised programme to ensure every school has access to at least one appropriately located mobility parking space. Staff will report back to Council on findings and costs.

Read the reports and rewatch the discussion on our website here

Dogs on leashes welcome in the CBD

An amendment to our Dog Control Bylaw 2020 was approved, which means dogs will be allowed leash and under control in New Plymouth’s central business area.

Currently only those who live in the city centre and people with disability dogs can walk their dog through the area but all other dogs are prohibited.

Today’s decision will means dogs, with the exception of those classified as dangerous or menacing , will be allowed on leash and under control in:

• Ariki Street and Gill Street between Egmont Street and Gover Street.
• Devon Street between Robe Street and Gover Street.
• Egmont Street from Ariki Street to Devon Street.
• Puke Ariki Landing.

The new rules come in to effect 7 November this year.  Find out more here

Procurement Policy 

The Council also adopted NPDC’s Procurement Policy, which includes a stronger focus on supporting local economic development.

The Policy outlines how the organisation will consider opportunities to support local businesses and economic growth through its procurement processes, while continuing to meet its obligations for fair, transparent and value-for-money purchasing.

The Policy was last updated in 2019 and will support the Procurement Strategy that was approved in 2025.   

Debt Funding for capital write offs 

Elected members approved internal debt funding to pay for $4.3m of costs on projects that no longer qualify as Council-owned capital assets

The decision means these costs will be covered by rates but spread across the 2027-2037 Long-term Plan.

Also on the agenda today:

• Adoption of NPDC’s 2025/2026 Annual Report
• NPDC and CCO performance reports for quarter ending 30 June.
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing quarterly report
• Insurance programme review.
• Report on Psychosocial risk and Governance and Puke Ariki

Click here to read all the reports and rewatch a video of the meeting. For all meetings, agendas and minutes go to  npdc.govt.nz/Meetings.