Chamber welcomes expansion
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed plans to proceed with the commuter carpark expansion.
President Mr Matthew Wales said: "The decision to expand the car park over the current Deepwater Plaza carpark will enable the project to proceed more quickly.
"We understand that council controls the airspace rights over the carpark which will enable the development to occur.
"Obviously the chamber is concerned about disruptions to current parking arrangements and the ongoing retail operations of both Deepwater Plaza and surrounding retail shops.
"While there will be some short term disruption in the immediate precinct, the chamber welcomes the extra car parking spaces as this will ease the pressure on street parking and provide better access for commuters."
However, Mr Wales said the chamber was concerned about the impact of the plan on the future development of Woy Woy town centre.
"The car park development must also be tempered with the knowledge that it will have other impacts on the Woy Woy town centre," Mr Wales said.
"There will inevitably be increased traffic which will place pressure on the centre of town which is already under pressure.
"The business community doesn't want Woy Woy to be simply a car parking hub for the rail station.
"We also want the town centre to thrive as a retail and commercial hub.
"In the longer term, we want to see initiatives in place to revitalise the town centre and enhance business opportunities."
Press release, 29 Oct 2009
Matthew Wales, Gosford Council