Just say 'no' and re-organise carpark
Central Coast Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart is reported to have said: "As I have always said, I will be guided by the community's response through Council's community engagement process."
It would appear to me that Mr Hart is constantly inviting the community to have their say on endless projects.
Why doesn't Mr Hart do what he is paid for, make the decision, full stop.
The decision whether Woolworths should be allowed to purchase part of the Austin Butler Reserve, should have been a simple one for Mr Hart to make: one single word, "No".
Now we have the charade of yet another request for community response.
Who is paying for this?
It's not coming out of Mr Hart's pocket.
It's coming out of the ratepayers' pockets.
I regularly go to Woolworths Woy Woy and have no problems parking.
Yes, when a goods vehicle is present, access and parking can be a problem.
However, Woolworths can easily manage this by simply removing four car park spaces immediately fronting where their goods vehicle parks, plus another two to four car spaces adjacent to the reserve.
Such would make it easier for cars to turn to access the full car park.
As to complaints that Woolworths goods vehicles are the main cause of traffic jams on Blackwall Rd, it's not the primary reason.
It's the continued line of walking ants crossing the pedestrian crossing from the old Westpac Bank to Peninsula Plaza.
Spend the money saved on this pointless community consultation, Mr Hart, and install pedestrian crossing lights.
SOURCE:
Email, 5 Nov 2023
Ray Hall, Koolewong