Chamber criticises traffic 'blisters'

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has expressed disappointment over the installation of a pedestrian refuge at the southern end of Bullion St in Umina.

Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales said the pedestrian refuge would result in the loss of one car parking space and one taxi space in "a town centre that can ill-afford to lose any kerbside parking".

"This may seem a small thing, but when businesses rely on easy parking and quick turnover of spaces, the loss of any parking is something the Peninsula chamber has sought to avoid," Mr Wales said.

"As the Umina Beach town centre becomes increasingly busy, it is our view that council should be preserving as much main-street and side-street parking as possible. "Unfortunately, as a result of each of the main corners in West St being reconstructed with the blister islands, over the years the town centre has lost up to a dozen kerb side parking spaces."

Mr Wales said he has called on council to advise the community what measures it will implement to increase the number of easily accessible car parking spaces in Umina CBD.

Council's advisor engineer Mr Jim Mahoney said the installation of a pedestrian refuge was set down as a condition of consent for the Woolworths supermarket development.

"The works are for the construction of a pedestrian refuge being constructed to satisfy a condition of consent for the Woolworths development DA 35906/08," Mr Mahoney said.

"The condition was recommended by the Roads and Traffic Authority for inclusion in the consent as a result of the development application being referred to the authority for consideration as a traffic generating development."

Email, 13 Apr 2010 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Email, 13 Apr 2010 Jim Mahoney, Gosford Council