Parking meters and carpark with shuttle bus proposed

A new multi-level commuter carpark could be built as far as 800 metres from Woy Woy station under a plan adopted by Central Coast Council.

It suggested the carpark could be serviced by a shuttle bus.

It also suggested that parking meters be introduced for on-street parking.

The Central Coast Car Parking Study: Implementation Plan was adopted with minor amendments at the May 25 council meeting and is set to go on public exhibition.

The plan also suggested an additional level of parking on the Deepwater Plaza parking station.

The report noted that the Federal Government has pledged $5 million towards commuter parking in Woy Woy, with negotiations underway.

It said parking demands were high, with more than 3300 vehicles seeking parking at Woy Woy railway station and in the township's commercial core.

With population in the Woy Woy/Blackwall region estimated to increase from 12,775 in 2016 to 13,619, the report said these parking "hotspots", already reaching practical capacity, would be inadequate to meet future demand.

The study said parking requirements would be affected by the Woy Woy Master Plan.

"It is assumed this will encourage increased development and associated economic activity within the commercial core, resulting in increased demand for parking," the report said.

In the short term, the report said there was an immediate need to use existing Council car parks on the fringe of the commercial core, which could be facilitated via a new shuttle bus service or promotion of existing bus services.

Immediate measures suggested included exploring the existing leasing arrangement at the Deepwater Plaza Parking Station to increase the supply of all-day commuter car parking and implementing a Park n Ride (bus) scheme to service those carparks with a loop service.

Metered on-street parking within the commercial core could be introduced over time to protect customer parking, with the revenue raised to be used to help fund other schemes.

In the medium term, the report said, improvement of public transport services could be investigated, including changes to the train timetable.

Smart parking initiatives could be introduced to provide information to minimise traffic circulation, reduce enforcement costs and to monitor usage.

Mayor Cr Lisa Matthews said parking issues continue to be an issue of concern for the community.

"Population growth coupled with the increasing commuter parking demands and increased economic activity around key centres has placed considerable strain on the limited existing parking capacity across the Central Coast," Cr Matthews said.

"We know that people want reliable access to parking, and the eventual implementation of this strategy will address commuter parking, drop-off zones, access and movement around transportable hubs to support and increase use of public transport."

SOURCE

Central Coast Council agenda 2.1, 25 May 2020