Umina - don't fix it, says Chamber

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has told Gosford Council consultants that the provision of a "civic focal point" for Umina should not be at the expense of car parking.

"The old adage is very true: If it ain't broke, don't fix it," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"The success of the Umina Beach shopping precinct is due in part to the ready availability of kerb side parking in West St and the ease of access to the Bullion St car park and Oscar St carpark off Wellington St.

"The Chamber has made it clear to Council's consultants that these fundamentals must not change lest the successful balance between vehicle access and pedestrian movements is disrupted," said Mr Wales.

"Umina can be very busy at times where traffic flows through West St sometimes inch along.

"This is part of the character of Umina where everyone enjoys the activity and interaction.

"We are very fortunate that shoppers have the option to enter-exit the town through three different side streets linking West St and Wellington St each with its own overflow parking areas.

"The Bullion St car park is one of Umina's key assets and we have concerns that the use of this area for a major civic space may come at the expense of parking for shoppers and locals.

"Parking is the town's life blood.

"We recognise the need for a civic focal point in the town but this must also be balanced against the fundamental need to provide easy access for the very customers that make business successful in town.

"So we are reluctant to endorse changes unless it can be firmly proven that the successful fundamentals of the town won't be compromised.

"There has been talk of one way traffic flows down West St and Wellington St which is not something that the Chamber supports.

"As a business community, we are mindful of the adverse effects that one way flows and street closures have had on other town centres and we need to learn from those mistakes.

"We have all seen the negative impacts that the restricted traffic movements in Blackwall Rd in Woy Woy have had and the race track affect of the one way movements in the Terrigal CBD.

"West St is doing just fine and the Chamber wants that to continue.

"The business community is happy to engage with the Council but full and transparent debate is essential so that the best outcome for the Umina Beach town centre is ensured", said Mr Wales.

"It was clearly apparent from the initial community consultation round in March that parking and traffic flow were key issues for the business community," he said.

Media Release, 15 Apr 2012

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce