Randwick: Locals rally to save The Spot from planned upgrades, loss of parking

Around 20 short-stay parking spaces, which face the chopping block to make room for outdoor dining, are the difference between a cherished corner in Sydney’s east surviving or going bust, business owners say.

Streetscape of The Spot, Randwick. Picture: Danny Aarons

Less than two dozen short-stay parking spaces, which are on the chopping block to make way for outdoor diners, could signal the end of trade of for a cherished corner of local businesses in Sydney’s east.

A vibrant junction of shops and cafes in a heritage area known as The Spot, is slated for a significant facelift courtesy of Randwick Council to deliver an enhanced experience for diners along with “improved visual appeal”.

The planned upgrade works for “revitalising the town centre” include extending the footpath for outdoor dining, undergrounding power lines, increasing lighting and greenery and installing smart poles.

Such upgrades would be delivered at the expense of 22 short-stay, high turnover parking spots, which according to business owners and locals make a world of difference.

Alternative parking is proposed for Coogee Bay Rd to replace the spaces which will be lost from St Paul’s St.

A concept image showing what the finished upgrades could look like.

However, it’s noted this parking would be significantly further away and for longer periods of time.

A petition launched by lifestyle boutique owner Donna Harvie has gained more than 1000 signatures in a month calling for the parking spaces to be saved.

Lifestyle boutique Live This in Randwick has been at The Spot for 20 years.

Ms Harvie, who’s boutique Live This has been at the Spot for 20 years, said her business relied on customers being able to quickly drop in.

“I started the petition and I’ve spoken to hundreds of people and asked ‘what would happen if you can’t park nearby?’,” she said

“They say ‘we do one lap and then keep going’.”

In an impassioned address to Tuesday night’s council meeting, local business owner of 30 years David Casteletti slammed the plans as “economic vandalism”.

A loss of parking would be crippling, according to business owners. Picture: Danny Aarons

“You are voting to systematically destroy the small business community at The Spot, these 22 short-stay high turnover parking spots are the difference between these businesses surviving and closing together,” he said

“We can see the writing on the wall, you’re going to kill The Spot, no parking means no customers.”

Mr Casteletti’s frustration was also spurred on by what he believed was an inaccurate community consultation report, which stated 86 per cent of respondents supported the upgrades.

According to Mr Casteletti, the real numbers reflected 52 per cent of respondents opposing the plans, along with 70 per cent of business owners.

“This consultation has been a complete sha. This is dishonest, biased, unlawful and un-Australian. To see it on a council letter head makes me sick,” he said

“You are steamrollering and rushing into this upgrade when there are legitimate concerns about misleading data.”

A recision motion lodged by the Randwick Liberals, calling for the plans to be deferred for a year, was defeated with Greens and Labor councillors voting for it to proceed.

Liberal councillor Carolyn Martin said there was “too many unhappy people” for the plans to go ahead.

“It's not a minor change we’re doing to The Spot. It’s big money with permanent consequences,” she said

Council voted to review the parking situation, along with other options to replace parking, and continue consultation with local business.