Administrator changes his mind about carpark sale
Central Coast Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart has changed his mind about the sale of the Woy Woy commuter carpark to the owner of Deepwater Plaza.
Mr Hart said: "It has become clear to me that there is a considerable level of concern in the local community about what is seen as inadequate consultation with both residents and business operators as to the potential benefits of such an arrangement.
"Also, the potential interest of Transport for NSW in purchasing the commuter car park that it already leases may have been insufficiently canvassed.
"I have determined that the future interests of our community are best served by putting to one side that part of the proposed parking rationalisation that involves the sale of the commuter car park to the owner of the Deepwater Plaza Shopping Centre."
Mr Hart said this should "assure the local community that it will be both extensively and comprehensively engaged in decisions that affect the future management of car parking facilities in this highly important business centre".
"I have determined that an additional safeguard should be inserted into the option extinguishment deed that has been agreed in principle between Council and the incoming owner of the shopping centre.
"This will ensure that free (uncharged) parking will continue to be provided in the shopper car park on the same basis as has been already agreed with the current owner until the expiry date of the option deed, namely, December 2032."
At last week's council meeting, Mr Hart rescinded his earlier resolutions to sell the carpark and resolved "not proceed with transfer of ownership of the commuter car park at 93 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, to a private party".
He resolved to "continue to negotiate with Transport for NSW for the transfer of the commuter carpark at 93 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy, to Transport for NSW and authorise the CEO to execute a contract if a mutual agreement can be reached on satisfactory terms".
He also resolved to "include in the agreement to extinguish Council's option to acquire car park spaces in the shopper car park at 52 Railway St, Woy Woy, provisions for those car parks to be accessed free of charge by the public until the date on which the option would have otherwise expired, namely, December 2032".
SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda S.1, 26 Apr 2023