Parking meters removed from implementation plan

On-street parking meters on the Peninsula have been taken off the table in the Central Coast Car Parking Study Implementation Plan, following amendments introduced at Central Coast Council's May 25 meeting by Cr Richard Mehrtens.

The possibility of metered parking had been suggested in a report prepared by specialised traffic and transport consultant Bitzios Consulting on parking issues which was considered by councillors at the meeting.

But Cr Mehrtens said community consultation had revealed a "strong mood" against paid parking, with other councillors supporting his move to remove the proposal from the Car Parking Study.

In seconding the amendments, Cr Kyle McGregor said one of the ways Council could make commuters' lives a little easier was not to force them to pay for parking.

Cr Mehrtens also suggested some other measures, suggested as medium term solutions, should be looked at in the short term.

These included the feasibility of increasing the supply of all-day car parking at the Deep Water Plaza car park; implementing a Park and Ride Bus scheme to service existing at-grade car parks on the fringe of the CBD; consulting with Transport for NSW to improve public transport services, including changes to the train timetables; and advocating for Transport for NSW to expand the Woy Woy commuter car parking station.

"This is simply advocacy for more public transport options to be moved up," he said.

"I have been assured there will be no extra cost involved in moving these things forward.

"But they are very important for our community.

"These are sensible solutions which will improve parking in the short term and provide real results for our community.

"It's all about changing priorities."

Cr Mehrtens' amendments were passed and became the motion, gaining the support of fellow councillors.

SOURCE

Central Coast Council agenda 2.1, 25 May 2020