Crackdown on unlawful unloading at Umina

Central Coast Council has commenced enforcement action over an alleged breach of development consent and road rules regularly occurring outside Liquorland at Umina Beach.

The alert was raised by concerned resident Ian Lawrence of Umina, who said a regular delivery was made to the store at about 7.30am.

“For at least a number of months, the delivery driver(s) has been unsafe and illegal, putting the public at risk by using the raised portion of the pedestrian crossing as a loading dock to unload,” he said.

“The driver parks across the disabled parking spot, normally at an angle to drop the tail lift onto the raised part of the pedestrian crossing, to then wheel pallets into the store.

“Pallets are stacked on the footpath while this is happening.

“This impacts on drivers being able to see people crossing, cars being parked in, not being able to use the disabled spot, and cars trying to squeeze past with limited visibility.”

Lawrence said residents could not use the crossing safely due to restriction from the unloading of pallets.

He said Liquorland had been emailed about the issue in June 2024, but no action had been taken.

“I have pointed out to both Liquorland staff and drivers that their actions are unsafe for everyone, including themselves,” he said.

“As well (as being illegal), the drivers’ actions also go against the site’s development application and approval.

“The development application approval for this site specifically says “nothing associated with the business is to be located on the footpath or adjoining public area, including the parking of vehicles, storage of goods, materials, waste or the like”.

“It also says “no materials, waste matter or products shall be stored outside the building”.

“The development application states that “delivery access to the Coles supermarket and proposed liquor outlet will remain within the existing loading dock area at the northern end of the existing building”.

“For many years the deliveries were done via the loading dock and moved via the supermarket to the liquor store as per the development application, but this is no longer happening.”

Lawrence said he had observed a truck illegally unloading as recently as March 31.

A Central Coast Council spokesperson confirmed that enforcement action had commenced for alleged breaches of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act in relation to the complaint.

“Council has been advised that Umina Liquorland will be training all delivery drivers in relation to ensuring they are legally parked when undertaking deliveries,” the spokesperson said.

“Council will continue to monitor this issue and will take further enforcement action if breaches continue.”