The $30M pledged by the former Federal Government for commuter carparking in Gosford has become a casualty of the March election, with parking options in the CBD remaining scarce.
Member for Robertson, Gordon Reid, said the Gosford and Woy Woy commuter carpark program was a “failed legacy” of the former Liberal Government.
“There was no adequate planning or delivery of these car parks, and they were part of the immense waste and rorts that contributed to the one trillion dollars of Liberal party debt,” Reid said.
The demise of the program was confirmed by its absence from the Federal Budget handed down on October 25 by Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
“The Budget … begins the hard task of long-term budget repair and returns responsible economic management to the Federal Parliament,” Reid said.
“It is also important to note that the workplace environment has changed, with more people working from home, and less people commuting into the metropolitan centres.”
Gosford Erina Business Chamber (GEBC) President Peter Lawley said parking in Gosford remained an issue.
“The loss of the $30M is not surprising given no movement occurred under the previous Government to actually achieve additional car parking in Gosford.”
gbec president, peter lawley
“Whilst there were several proposals, nothing seemed to move to the next stage.
“With the introduction of opal car payment in the commuter carpark, the car park isn’t as full as it was pre-COVID.
“What does need to be addressed is the actual parking in the CBD, with evidence showing the Baker Street carpark generally has 400 or more vacant spaces during each day.”
Lawley said he understood the NSW Government Workcover building has exclusive access to the two top floors of the carpark.
“Since COVID, (with) people working from home etc, this is almost 99 per cent vacant,” he said.
“GEBC appreciates Central Coast Council receives an income for the exclusive use of this area by Workcover, but to the detriment of available spaces for the public and workers in the CBD.”
Lawley said several easily introduced steps could be taken to relieve parking congestion in the CBD.
The shuttle between Adcock Park and Racecourse Rd parking could be brought back for for CBD workers with unlimited, all-day parking, he said.
“Additional limited time (1 hour or 2-hour max) parking could be introduced in the streets from Point Frederick in the south to North Gosford, and parking areas like McGowan Bridge could be used for visitors,” he said.
He also suggested renegotiating with the State Government to access for reasonable pay per hour parking in the Baker Street carpark and improving access.
“(These) may not solve the long-term need for a multi deck parking station closer to the CBD, but will go a long way to improving (the situation) for the next few years,” he said.
Terry Collins