Emotions run high over ‘nightmare’ parking problem

A growing harbourside community is calling for action over dangerous parking by ferry commuters.

Tensions are rising over a lack of parking spaces at the Hobsonville Marina and ferry terminal in north-west Auckland.

Currently, 43 car parks are offered to commuters on the Belaire Ferries service, leaving the remaining 627 daily passengers to find other alternatives.

Some have resorted to parking their cars along both sides of Clearwater Cove, the road leading to the terminal.

Cove resident Pauline Reid describes the situation as worrying and dangerous.

“There is an ever-slight bend as you are coming out from the marina and up the road,” explained Mrs Reid.

“You can’t see oncoming traffic, especially when there are cars parked right up to your letter box.”

The lack of vision and small amount of road space has led to a raft of near misses, and now residents want action.

The owner of Belaire Ferries, Adam Tallentire, started the service in 2005 and had witnessed a significant rise in commuter numbers.

“We had less than 1000 passengers in the first month,” said Mr Tallentire. “However in March 2017, we had 15,000.”

This increase means finding a solution to the parking situation has become Mr Tallentire’s top priority.

“We’ve been looking at various options to resolve it. However, it is complicated because there is us, then there is Auckland Transport, and there is also the Hobsonville Marina Company itself,” said Mr Tallentire.

“We are all trying to work together but as separate parties.”

According to Mr Tallentire, the best option would be to find a separate plot of land to build a second parking lot.

“We have got close to it and then different problems have popped up so we haven’t solved it yet but we are working on it,” he said.

Upper Harbour Local Board chairperson Lisa Whyte has visited Clearwater Cove and spoken to employees from the Hobsonville Marina Company.

“The gentleman I met with said Auckland Transport had been offered a lot further up Clearwater Cove that could be turned into commuter parking, but that they had declined,” said Mrs Whyte.

While a solution is being found, Mrs Whyte wants people to stop their dangerous parking habits.

“People aren’t parking responsibly or considerately and that is what is causing the friction because they are parking in front of driveways, around bends in the road and obstructing view,” said Mrs Whyte.

Mrs Whyte, Mr Tallentire, and Mrs Reid are pressing Auckland Council, which controls Auckland Transport, for an urgent solution.