There have been many letters and newspaper articles about our Tauranga CBD parking areas.
It has been proven overseas that some cities have turned their very busy streets into shopping malls, with no vehicles, and businesses have experienced increased financial turnovers and incomes.
Our Wellington City has one or two streets with no vehicles. For example, Cuba St has no vehicles, instead it has seats, fountains, and a beautiful area to shop and enjoy poeple's company. Some cities have been building roofs over streets, making their streets even more comfortable for shoppers. Those businesses have experienced increased incomes.
Tauranga's very busy Cameron Rd, near the Wharepai Domain, could be closed to all vehicles and turned into a shopping mall.
Mini electric trains and carriages could shuttle shoppers to and fro from a proposed carpark area on the Wharepai Domain, then back into Cameron Rd.
Vehicles belching poisonous gases, fumes and dust are a ‘no no' in busy, narrow streets. So I'd imagine those business owners would gladly contribute money to building roof over their street area to benefit from an increased amount of shoppers, and in turn income; all without vehicles parking on the street.

Ernest Izett, Otumoetai.