Community blow-back has led to a pause of big changes to Oamaru’s paid parking. A Waitaki District Council media statement this week said planned changes to the one-hour free parking in the Oamaru CBD and consultation on extending paid parking have been put on hold ahead of the February 17 full meeting of the council. PHOTO: ODT FILESHowever, the mayor and councillors have asked for a pause in the trial change to free parking time. "We’re not ruling out a future change in the one-hour free parking in town, as we try to reduce the ratepayer contribution to the cost of maintaining our carparks." Council chief executive Alex Parmley said the resolution of the previous council directed the council to reduce one-hour free parking to a 15-minute courtesy period and consult on extending metered parking.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 24, 2026 21:03 UTC