Central Coast Council is calling on Gosford businesses to share feedback on opening hours and fees for Gosford City Car Park before July 28.
Council Director Environment and Planning Luke Nicholls said an online survey would help Council better understand business needs for parking to support the region’s economy.
“Local businesses have recently expressed concerns about Gosford City Car Park operating hours, particularly during public holidays and weekends,” he said.
“To help address these concerns we’re seeking input from local businesses to ensure that the current operating hours of parking and the fee structure aligns with the needs of the city and supports future growth.
“By gathering this insight, we will be better able to understand what short-term and long-term actions can be taken to support the Gosford economy during public holiday periods and weekends – helping Council to support visitation and help cultivate local business.”
The current operating hours have been set based on observed usage patterns, with peak demand occurring during core business hours.
Outside of these hours, alternative parking options are available to support parking demand.
Closing the carpark during periods of low usage allows Council to reduce operational costs and helps prevent antisocial behaviour which remains a persistent issue at all parking stations, particularly during unstaffed hours.
Gosford currently hosts three large carparks that are Council owned: Gosford City Car Park (operating hours Monday to Friday 6am-8pm, Saturdays 7.30am-3pm, Sundays and public holidays closed) and opened for special events; Adcock Park, West Gosford and West Gosford Racecourse Rd Car Park (both with free parking 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
In addition, parking is available at Gosford Commuter Car Park on Showground Rd run by Transport for NSW offering all-day free parking on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and a $10 flat fee parking from 5pm-5am on weekdays.
Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said Council was committed to supporting parking options for the Gosford City Car Park to make accessing the city easy and safe.
In addition, a smart technology upgrade has been approved in Council’s latest Operational and Delivery Plan, which proposes to install smart parking technology to modernise the existing Gosford City Car Park and is anticipated to help further support usage and access whilst maintaining public safety.
Feedback can be provided by completing the survey at www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/GCC
Businesses are also encouraged to take part in a pop-up forum to be held in Kibble Park from 1.30pm-3.30pm on Thursday, July 24.
The council carpark behind Manns St, Gosford needs to be cleaned up. It has become a putrid, unhygienic, unsafe area due to the homeless camp that has moved in. The whole place smells like a public toilet with urine on the walls and paystation. I understand there is a homeless crisis, but surely allowing these poor people to remain in one of Gosford’s very few CBD parking spots is not helping the local businesses because people have nowhere to park.