Masterton District Council has agreed to provide 31 carparks next to the Departmental Building (35-37 Chapel Street) for use by the Wairarapa District Health Board’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
The DHB requested the public parks be temporarily allocated for visitors to the clinic from early June. The Council has implemented the temporary change in parking use until March 2022.
If the clinic completes its vaccinations earlier, then the Council can release the parking for public use at that stage.
Designated clinic carparks will allow easier and immediate access for everyone receiving vaccinations.
The move will reduce parking spaces close to Masterton Library to 10 parks, plus one accessible park. There is more free parking a short walk away on Dixon Street outside the park and plentiful free public parking near Farriers at the northern roundabout.
Mayor Lyn Patterson said the temporary change in designation of the carparks was appropriate.
“The community will expect us to support the vaccination programme, and this is an appropriate way for the Council to do that,” she said. “It would be wonderful if more able-bodied and fit people parked further away and left the close library parks for patrons less mobile.”
Signage will be in place notifying motorists of the change in car parking arrangements.