More car parking is discussed

Gosford Council will continue its discussions with the Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation on the possible provision of additional temporary commuter car parking spaces until the Woy Woy Commuter Car Park expansion works are completed.

According to a council report, the corporation is considering different options to alleviate the reduction in car parking spaces including identifying additional temporary commuter parking sites, promoting greater commuter use of nearby Koolewong and Point Clare train stations as well as encouraging commuters to leave home earlier to allow more time to find a non-time restricted kerbside parking space within walking distance of Woy Woy train station.

However, the report stated that no supplementary temporary car park sites in Woy Woy had been identified as readily available and council would not re-negotiate its existing parking agreement with Deepwater Plaza shopping centre.

"A weekday observation of the patronage of the temporary short term parking in the Woy Woy Commuter Car Park has confirmed that the ground floor was fully utilised, whilst the level one and two (split half decks) were approximately 75 per cent occupied," a council report stated.

"This level of short term parking patronage has been achieved through advertising of the altered parking arrangement, including the on-site distribution of maps to motorists seeking to park in Deepwater Plaza, and appears to be increasing.

"On this basis it is not seen as appropriate that council seek to re-negotiate the agreement under which these areas have been turned over to temporary short term parking in order to reinstate commuter car parking.

"The temporary commuter carpark in the northern area of the Woy Woy Oval recreation reserve had all but the 10 spaces most distant from Woy Woy Railway Station occupied on the day of inspection, confirming the success of the temporary carpark."

At its meeting on June 22, council also resolved to provide a report on its conclusion that the waiving of parking infringements was illegal and to contact the State Debt Recovery Office and the Attorney General's office regarding the review of infringement notices.

Council has requested TIDC to enhance the safety of those using the temporary commuter carpark off Chambers Pl, Woy Woy, by the engagement of security guards to patrol the area after dark, during peak evening periods.

The temporary commuter car park area near Chambers Pl, Woy Woy, was created in April to compensate for a loss of around 290 commuter car parking spaces.

However, the temporary car park can only hold around 190 cars, resulting in a loss of 100 car parking spaces in the vicinity of Woy Woy train station.

Similarly, the demolition of the Deepwater Plaza car park to make way for the commuter car park expansion has resulted in a loss of 390 shopping car parking spaces throughout the construction period.

The loss was partially compensated by 290 spaces being made available on the ground floor and levels one and two (split half decks) in the commuter car park, resulting in a net loss of 100 shopper spaces.

The expansion of the existing Woy Woy Commuter Car Park is scheduled for completion mid next year.

Council agenda CIT.29, 22 Jun 2010