Gosford CBD parking crisis prompts new strategy
A DEVELOPMENT-driven parking crisis in Gosford CBD is not news to the people who live, work or run businesses in the regional capital. Here’s how the council plans to fix things.
Central Coast
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A LOOMING parking crisis in Gosford became the focus of attention this week when Central Coast Councillors called for a new strategy for the CBD.
Parking has been a constant frustration for Central Coast residents for years, and the need for more parking has become even more urgent as large new developments are completed in the centre of the regional capital.
Central Coast councillors have questioned what action is being taken to develop a parking strategy.
They voted this week to initially deal with Gosford CBD, then explore other areas with parking problems including Woy Woy, Tuggerah and Wyong.
Councillor Rebecca Gale Collins said the council needed to address the lack of parking for residents to be able to access vital services in the CBD.
“The Gosford railway precinct commuter car park is full by 6.30am Monday to Friday,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Chris Holstein said the council needed to look at a range of short term options.
“Central Coast Leagues Club has started putting on security in their car park getting filled up with workers of a morning,” he said.
“St Hilliers is going to triple their workforce within the next month to two months. Where are they going to park?”
Commuters, business people, workers and shoppers have all called for action at different times and now council has come up with three key plans of action:
1. More free parking
Free parking is already available at the commuter car parks, Imperial Shopping Centre, Town Centre and on limited streets. The major pressure points parking are around Gosford Hospital, railway station, with commuter parking usually full before 7.30am, and Central Coast Stadium during high profile games and events. The possibility of creating more free parking will be closely examined in the new strategy.
2. New parking stations
This includes exploring opportunities at the Gosford Showground, and Adcock Park.
Adock Park has its own parking problems during local sporting competitions. Any netball parent would describe Saturday mornings at the West Gosford sporting complex as a nightmare.
The council will also look into how long the Kibbleplex site will be available for parking, as well as exploring privately owned sites.
3. Expanded existing carparks
Group Leader for Environment and Planning Scott Cox said the council was currently investigating short term strategies for commuter parking.
Cr Holstein said he was disappointed a number of initiatives explored by previous councils hadn’t come up.
He said when the Kibbleplex parking agreement was signed seven years ago, there was potential of a private/public partnership to develop a commercial, retail and residential complex along with a paid parking station.
“That was the plan ... sold, gone. That initiative is gone,” he said.
He said the old Gosford school site was also a lost opportunity for more parking.
Cr Holstein said while commuter parking should be free, any new development has to consider parking at a paid rate.
“The reality is people will pay for parking and any future expansion of our parking needs to be looked at paid,” he said.
“I’m not asking for a change to commuter parking and I’m not looking to put parking metres through the city. But any new initiatives to get extra parking will be important.”
Other ideas
The council will also explore ‘park and ride’ options, as well as the possibility of additional parking for pedal and motorised cycling within the CBD.
They will have discussions with the Australian Taxation Office and St Hilliers with regard to their future needs for staff parking.