Timed parking may go while carpark is built

Gosford Council has asked the local traffic committee to consider the temporary removal of timed parking in the Woy Woy CBD and relevant surrounding streets as a matter of urgency.

The issue comes after local commuters and residents have complained of the impact of the Woy Woy Commuter Carpark closure, despite the opening of a temporary car park near Woy Woy Oval to alleviate disruptions.

According to council's resolution, the review should take into consideration the impact of the temporary removal of timed parking on local businesses, with a report to be brought to council for a decision at the earliest opportunity.

In addition, council has voted to put in place a management plan, in conjunction with the Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation, to provide information on car parking areas within the Woy Woy transport node to allow for an increase in commuter car parking spaces during the redevelopment of the commuter car park.

The plan is expected to be placed on public exhibition and highlighted in the local media to ensure commuters are notified of changes to parking areas around Woy Woy CBD.

The notice of motion was put forward by Cr Terri Latella who tabled a petition of more than 600 signatures at the June 1 council meeting.

Cr Latella said commuters, residents and visitors to Woy Woy were angry and frustrated with the availability of car parking within the CBD since the beginning of construction for the expansion of Woy Woy Commuter Car Park last month.

Cr Latella said hundreds of commuters had also been issued with parking infringements since construction had begun and called for them to be waivered.

However, general manager Mr Peter Wilson did not support the motion and said the process of waiving parking fines was illegal, posing a number of liability issues.

Local commuter Ms Jennifer Richmond said she had been parking in the Woy Woy CBD for years and welcomed the expansion of the Woy Woy Commuter Car Park.

"More car parking spaces for Woy Woy is long overdue and it will be great to see the commuter car park reopened but until that time there needs to be some leniency with council," Ms Richmond said.

"Commuters have been forced to park on side streets, on footpaths and even get to the station much earlier than usual to secure a car spot.

"Some Peninsula commuters even go to Gosford to risk the chance at getting a secure and legal car park.

"Even when people have been parking in the same car spots for years in side streets it's only now that they are getting fines... why start now?

"There are no 'no parking' signs to indicate otherwise."

Cr Craig Doyle acknowledged that the area was under pressure and something needed to be done to manage the problem.

"It is unfortunate that this issue was not addressed in the initial planning stages of the project," Cr Doyle said.

"But now we are aware of the problem we need to take the opportunity to manage the issue appropriately and in a proactive way."

The issue is expected to be addressed at the local traffic committee's next meeting on June 7.

Clare Graham, 1 Jun 2010 Council agenda NM.12, 1 Jun 2010