Central Coast Council has done a partial backflip on its decision to sell the commuter carpark in Rawson Rd, Woy Woy, to the prospective new owner of Deepwater Plaza following backlash from the community and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch – but will proceed with selling its option to buy 220 spots in the adjoining plaza carpark in 2032.
Business and resident groups joined Tesch on site on Thursday, March 2, to demand a reversal of the decision made at the Tuesday, February 28, Council meeting.
Administrator Rik Hart had resolved for Council to enter negotiations to sell the commuter carpark, which it leases to Transport for NSW for $1 a year until 1965, along with Council’s option to buy half of the car spaces in the adjoining Deepwater Plaza carpark, to the plaza’s new owner Raptis Investments.
Council has an option to purchase the 220 spots in the plaza carpark in December 2032, for a peppercorn fee of $1.
Tesch said the decision was bad for commuters, shoppers and the community.
“It is short-sighted to hand a hugely valuable publicly-owned asset and our rights to its expansion over to a private developer for a short-term revenue hit,” she said.
“Our community stands in opposition to this and we call upon Rik Hart to reconsider this short-term decision on a long-term community asset.
“We know that putting a public asset into the hands of a private provider (can) have disastrous consequences.”
Tesch cited the example of the Kibbleplex site in Gosford, once promised as commuter carparking but later sold by Council.
“Parking in Gosford is now an absolute disaster and we don’t want that for the Peninsula with its growing population,” she said.
“We are also very concerned about Council’s lack of communication.”
Tesch said there was no guarantee the private company would not install a boom gate and start charging for parking in the future.
Former Member for Gosford and for Peats Marie Andrews said that in 2012 the then NSW Labor Government invested $19.9M into the expansion of the site to increase its capacity, including an additional 11 disability spaces.
“I am outraged about the suggestion that this carpark be sold off,” she said.
Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said it was the lack of community consultation which was especially concerning.
“This matter should have been up for public discussion before it ever made it into the business papers,” he said.
“There has been no transparency, no discussion.
“Discussions on the sale are being kept confidential and that is of deep concern.
“We need to know how a price is being determined and that the ratepayers will get value for their dollar out of any sale.
“Administrator Hart seems to have forgotten who he is responsible to – he should have realised this would be a sensitive issue.”
Peninsula Residents’ Association was blindsided by the announcement, along with the rest of the community.
Spokesperson Michael Wilder said the group would be looking for further information.
“We just want to know what’s going on,” he said.
In response to feedback, Hart announced on Thursday evening he has asked CEO David Farmer to pause negotiations between Council and any prospective owner of the commuter carpark until after the March 25 State election.
Once negotiations resume, he has asked the CEO to ensure the community’s perspectives are considered before any agreement is finalised.
Hart said he has taken on board the concerns of community members and Tesch.
“I understand the sale of a public asset to a private owner can raise alarm bells for the community, regardless of the fact that safeguards remain in place to protect parking in Woy Woy for decades to come,” he said.
“I agree with the community that commuter car parks at public transport hubs on the Central Coast are essential.
“However, Council does not need to own rail commuter car parks to achieve this outcome, just as it doesn’t own schools, hospitals or police stations, which are also essential to the community.
“Commuter car parks are the responsibility of the State Government and the Council does not own any other commuter car park on the Central Coast.
“Council’s preference was to align the Woy Woy commuter car park to these traditional ownership structures and transfer the site to Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
“However, to date, TfNSW has declined to take on this responsibility, despite TfNSW owning another commuter car park adjacent to Woy Woy station, with plans for expansion.”
Hart appealed to Tesch for her support in encouraging TfNSW to buy the carpark should she retain her seat on March 25.
He said Council is responsible for renewing the car park, at an average cost of around $270,000 per year, receiving a peppercorn rent of $1 in return.
Transferring the site off Council’s books would save this amount plus any eventual replacement costs.
Negotiations on selling Council’s Option Deed to acquire 220 car park spaces in the Deepwater Plaza carpark will remain unchanged, with assurances from Hart that any profit from the sale would be allocated for community infrastructure projects in the Woy Woy area.
Tesch said the statement “clearly indicates” that Council is forging ahead with the privatisation of the section of the shopping centre carpark.
“This means the community’s rights to own the 220 additional car spaces in the centre of the Woy Woy CBD for $1 in December 2032 will be privatised,” she said.
“Unless Council is fully compensated for the loss of all potential revenue it would receive above $1 in 2032, this decision makes very little economic sense.
“If you were to inherit a property in the centre of Woy Woy for $1 in nine years’ time, you would have to be a foolish to throw that away for the price it’s worth today.
“I am also deeply concerned that there is no guarantee that this sell-off (wouldn’t) provide a catalyst for the developer to introduce fees for shopper parking.
“Council’s confidential negotiations between CEO David Farmer and Raptis blocks any ability for community input or accountability into a decision which may have a long-lasting economic impacts on our family budgets.
“This decision doesn’t make any economic sense and I doubt that our community will be fairly compensated for the rights Council is willing to throw away for a cheap revenue hit.
“I continue to call upon Central Coast Council to reverse its decision to private our community assets”.
Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Wales said while the decision on the commuter carpark was welcome, the situation should never have arisen in the first place.
“For such an important sale of a community asset, the Council should always have consulted the local community in the first instance and fully explained the Council’s position,” he said.
“Regardless of whether or not people agree with the sale, the views of the community are paramount so that the Council can make a balanced decision.
“Above all, open and free access to car parking spaces for both shoppers and commuters is extremely important and any discussions on a sale of the asset need to provide these guarantees.”
Tesch has set up a petition opposing the sales and is urging the public to sign it at https://forms.gle/kVMFARudVFiCi1Dr9.
Terry Collins