Rockhampton CBD business owners hit by car park closure

Rockhampton CBD businesses are bracing for the impact of the closure of the Kern Arcade car park with already scarce customer parking in the busy precinct.

The three-storey carpark at Kern Arcade.

Rockhampton CBD business owners are bracing for the impact of the closure of the Kern Arcade car park with already scarce customer car parking available in the busy precinct.

It is understood about 170 regular users of the three-storey car park are being advised by the complex’s operator, National Retail Group, that their current monthly permits will not be renewed as the car park transitions from public and third-party parking to “exclusive private” use.

“We understand this change may cause inconvenience and sincerely apologise for any disruption,” said the message from NRG.

“However as the carpark is privately owned this decision has been made to streamline its use and remove the ongoing administrative complexity.”

The carpark at the now closed Kern Arcade.

The Kern Arcade and adjacent car park were purchased by a Victorian company connected to the Chemist Warehouse Group, now merged with Sigma Health, for $5.15m in April with plans to transform the 16-shop arcade into a large Chemist Warehouse outlet to allow the transfer of the franchises’ current Rockhampton operation from its nearby temporary smaller location.

Rockhampton Chemist Warehouse franchise owner Paul Arnold said he believed any closure of the car park would only be temporary during the major building layout transition period at the Kern Arcade.

“It’s (the Kern Arcade Car Park) a big part of our (Rockhampton Chemist Warehouse) plans,” he said.

But in the meantime, it’s not known when that arcade refurbishment will start and finish and how long the car park will be out of use.

The Kern Arcade in April 2025, two weeks after the sale settled.

Evonne Genders and her husband Peter own PNE Art & Framing, located a few doors from the Kern Arcade, and have used the car park since they opened the store in July 2020.

“We find it very good because as a business owner we’re not impacting on the free car parking,” Mrs Genders said,

But she has serious concerns about the impact of its closure for a number of reasons.

“It’s not only us, there are lawyers, doctors, (and several businesses), everybody parks in there. We just don’t know where they’re all going to park now.”

“Which in turn is going to impact on businesses because it’s taking away car parking from them and foot traffic, which is what we need, especially in the (East Street) mall.”

Ms Genders was disappointed there had been no negotiation with car park users about the situation and understands its only maintenance man had finished up last week.

The location of the Kern Arcade and two-level carpark in Rockhampton's CBD.

Another factor to consider is the likely increase in homeless people using the car park and nearby vacant buildings and rooftops for shelter.

“Isn’t there a responsibility for it to be maintained?” she asked.

“There’s a cardboard lean-to that people had been living in on the second floor. It’s gone now but only because everyone parks there and once it’s not being used no one will know what’s going on there.”

Ms Genders said there could be a further impact on CBD businesses from people living in the car park.

“The car park is already a prime spot for youths with a rebellious streak to cross over to our building and they are wrecking our roofs (damage and water leaks),” she said.

Rockhampton Regional Council was contacted to see what action it was taking with the approaching car park situation.

Mayor Tony Williams said council regards the Kern Arcade and car park as a key strategic site for the CBD and surrounds.

“We know the role car parking plays in attracting and retaining business in the CBD and how important this site is,” he said.

“We’re speaking with the car park owners about the site and hope to be in a position to provide an update shortly.”

The NRG group was contacted for a response and explanation but declined to comment.

Originally published as Rockhampton CBD business owners hit by car park closure