Bullion St parking is crucial to shoppers and businesses
It has been suggested that the redevelopment of the Bullion St carpark is "a once in a lifetime opportunity".
I cannot agree with that, because this is a second bite of the same cherry.
This idea was discussed, at length, about 10 to 12 years ago, and the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by those with both business and social interests.
It was rejected, because no one could satisfactorily explain why Umina Beach needs to have this proposed green space--civic centre, especially at the expense of the parking precinct.
The parking is crucial to both those who use the shopping centre and the businesses they visit.
I kept asking then, and I ask again now, where will shoppers park, if the Bullion St carpark no longer exists?
I can't even see that this green space would be aesthetically pleasing, because the view from the space to the rear of the shops would be awful.
Would the green space be fenced to eliminate such an eyesore?
This would further separate the new space from West St.
The idea is that this new development would be an outdoor focal point, for young and old.
We already have that with the foreshore picnic areas at Ettalong and Umina Beach.
Neither of these locations can provide sufficient parking as it is.
(And there is a question over these spaces, as to whether they will be metered.)
Even if there is a condition that the new development would duplicate the existing number of car spaces already available, it will not be enough.
If anything, the number of spaces needs to be doubled.
More and more people are moving to this area.
Old homes are being demolished at a great rate and being replaced with multiple dwellings.
So there will fewer available parking spaces than the number that will be required into the future.
Where will this new parking area be located and how long will the redevelopment take, from closed to open?
At the meetings that were held previously to discuss this proposal, no one could answer these questions.
Umina Beach is a busy shopping village.
On most days, it is impossible to find a parking space on the main strip of West St, which has been described as the heart of the centre.
The beaches might not be the focal point of the town centre, but they are certainly one of the main drawcards for this area, along with a more relaxed lifestyle, cheaper housing (for some) and fast access to Sydney and Newcastle.
The Bullion St carpark is always busy and the disabled car spaces are often full.
More of those might be useful to the aging members of the population.
Without the Bullion St carpark, where will people park, so they can visit the shops in busy West St?
How can it be an advantage for Umina to have more shops, cafes, green space and recreation areas, if there is nowhere for shoppers and visitors to park?
Without the carpark, businesses in West St will suffer loss of trade, as will new businesses.
This was the major concern expressed by business owners who attended previous meetings, to discuss this suggestion.
As business owners, amongst many, we object to the proposed sale of the Bullion St carpark.
West St might not remain the busy village it is now, if people cannot park to visit the shopping strip, which is also being developed.
There is a new medical imaging centre and a new medical practice due to open imminently.
If Council does sell the carpark to a developer, what input or influence will locals be able to exert to ensure the development will benefit the whole town, and not just the developer?
Precious little, I expect.
If we have more housing development, in the form of another high-rise apartment complex, on this site, will (possibly underground) parking be exclusive to the occupants of those apartments?
If the proposed new space were to look bright, new and modern, it would make West St look shabby, down-market and uninviting, by comparison, and this would adversely affect many existing businesses.
I don't understand why we need to create a new focal point, at the expense of the existing businesses.
Retail has been in the doldrums for years and things are just beginning to look a little brighter, but continued success of businesses in West St will depend on the availability of easily accessible parking - and plenty of it.
Where will the new carpark be located?
How many spaces will there be?
SOURCE:
Email, 13 May 2021
Cathy Waller, Umina Beach