Council to spend $50,000 to sell commuter carpark

Central Coast Council will spend about $50,000 to sell the Woy Woy commuter carpark to Transport for NSW for $1, if a recommendation before tomorrow night's council meeting is approved.

The money would be spent on the creation of a pedestrian easement from the carpark to the railway station to encompass the existing elevated walkway, as well as on the legal process.

The recommendation implements the Council decision in April last year to negotiate with the State Government department to buy the carpark, in response to an earlier proposal to sell the carpark on the open market.

At that time, the Council agreed to "continue to negotiate with Transport for NSW for the transfer of the commuter carpark at 93 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, to Transport for NSW and authorise the CEO to execute a contract if a mutual agreement can be reached on satisfactory terms".

Transport for NSW told the council in April this year that it "would be prepared to take over freehold ownership of the Woy Woy commuter carpark", subject to a number of conditions, according to Tuesday's council agenda.

These included the transfer for $1, each party paying their own transaction costs and "the transfer including an appropriate property interest over the pedestrian walkway linking the car park and station".

"This is currently leased by the Transport Asset Holding Entity, but a more permanent interest will be needed."

The council staff report stated that easements would need to be created "in favour of commuter car park land" for the section of the walkway over Railway St and for the section over the Swancott Centre "surface carpark", between the commuter carpark and the Clocktower building.

The "deed of agreement for maintenance" for the existing easement through the Clocktower building would need "to be novated to Transport for NSW".

"The easements will provide that the responsibility for maintenance and repair work of the walkway and overbridge will lie with Transport for NSW.

"Consultation with the Woy Woy community and the local state member of parliament in 2023 have confirmed that transfer of the commuter car park to Transport for NSW is an acceptable outcome," the report states.

The report stated that the cost of the easements and other costs associated with the transfer would total about $45,000, excluding GST.

"Incidental costs which are usual in the creation of easements and deeds of assignment as well as property conveyancing expenses will be associated with the proposed transfer.

"The strata of land to be covered by the additional easements will need to be fully surveyed. "The surveying costs are estimated at approximately $20,000 excluding GST.

"Depending on the actual arrangements that are agreed on and depending on the extent and complexity of the negotiations with both Transport for NSW and with third parties (specifically, the owners of the Clocktower Centre), a further cost of approximately $25,000 excluding GST for legal and related professional costs is expected to be incurred to finalise and execute the required documentation."

The report claimed the costs could be absorbed within the council's existing budget.

"The surveying, negotiation, and documentation costs can be absorbed within the annual budget for the Economic Development and Property Unit, taking into account that ongoing savings will be achieved in terms of insurance, risk management, and lease management expenses that form part of the cost of ownership of the commuter car park.

"It is noted that the accounting treatment for the proposed transfer and the associated financial impact remains subject to change as a result of the 2023-24 Annual Financial Statements audit by the NSW Audit Office."

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda item 2.7, 23 Jul 2024