Councillors push for extended carpark hours

Central Coast councillors Jared Wright and Kyla Daniels are determined to make parking more accessible, safe and fair at the Council-owned Gosford City Carpark in Baker St.

At its meeting on April 29, Council passed a Motion in favour of looking into increasing opening hours for the carpark.

Council has also said it will look to renew the smart technology currently in use for the next financial year.

Wright said local businesses and organisations such as the Gosford Strip Precinct Committee had noted difficulties from their patrons in accessing the carpark, particularly on weekends.

He said the carpark was not open from 3pm on Saturdays, or on Sundays and public holidays and that expanding opening hours would make better use of the Council asset.

“If we want to revitalise Gosford, increase housing supply and encourage people to enjoy our local nightlife, it is fundamental that parking is available,” he said.

“Weekends are a peak period and for the majority of it, this carpark is dormant.

“By increasing opening hours we can better support residents, tourists and business owners while also improving the profitability of this asset.

“Better utilising Council facilities like this carpark will play an important role in bolstering our long term financial stability and also our ability to improve the services they provide.”

Daniels, who is the owner of Cakes by Kyla which previously had a shopfront in Gosford CBD, said the lack of parking availability continued to impact local businesses.

“When people find it hard to park they simply turn away and businesses then suffer from the reduced foot traffic,” she said.

“Having operated a business in Gosford for eight years, I know this all too well and I am passionate about changing that as a councillor.”

Daniels also noted that parking limits at the carpark are not regularly enforced, with many overstaying their time limit during peak periods, meaning others have nowhere to park and revenue is reduced.

“The system needs to be fair for everyone and it needs to be better enforced,” she said.

“Now that the Motion is passed, we will work with staff to help make that happen.

“This includes better monitoring reports of antisocial behaviour at the site, as this is an ongoing issue that makes local residents and business owners feel unsafe.”

A report from CEO David Farmer presented at the meeting said an independent specialist consultant was currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the technologies employed at the carpark to manage vehicle access and improve operational efficiencies.

The review will identify the best solutions for future management of the facility, including cost-effective options to extend hours of operation.

It is due to be completed by June 30.

Its outcomes will form part of the capital works program for financial year 2025/26 to renew the Smart Technology currently in use at the carpark.

The report said Council has already completed projects to enhance lighting at the site and has installed uplighting on the facades to activate the space.