Central Coast Council is continuing to progress technology upgrades for the Gosford City Carpark in Baker St, with the view to make parking more accessible and extending opening hours on weekends and public holidays.
Central Coast councillors Jared Wright and Kyla Daniels moved a Motion in April calling for Council to improve ticketing, operational hours, accessibility and public safety at the site.
At the recent quarterly meeting of the Governance and Finance Committee, councillors received a progress report from staff, noting that extensive public consultation has occurred in recent months and that a tender was currently out for procurement.
Wright, who is Chair of the committee, said the April Motion led to $885,000 being secured in the Budget for this financial year, to facilitate smart technology upgrades at the site.
“These technology upgrades are looking at more innovative ticketing and entry measures to improve efficiency, making it easier for people to access more often,” he said.
“As we continue working on revitalising Gosford, creating better access to parking is critical, particularly given our growing population.
“While naturally we have to wait to see the tender proposals, I am hoping that the upgrades include things like number plate recognition and barrierless entry, as these are the sorts of technology upgrades that our community would expect, particularly given the significant cost.”
Daniels reaffirmed the need for Council to continue looking at ways to improve parking opportunities throughout the Gosford CBD.
“Having run a small business in Gosford for many years, I know the impacts that a lack of parking can have on residents and business owners themselves,” she said.
“People will drive around the block a few times and if they still cannot park, they will drive away, leaving them disappointed.
“This then means a loss in revenue for our small business community.”
Daniels said parking regulations must be better enforced, with many motorists still overstaying the allocated time.
“The system must be fair for everyone and it needs to be better enforced,” she said.
“From a safety perspective, we also need to better monitor reports of antisocial behaviour and implement measures that reduce it, so that people are more comfortable in and around the CBD.”
Wright said Council was expecting a contract to be awarded between September and October, with the technology to be made available early next year.
For the love of God can one of these Councillors explain how they blow a million dollars on this? If the ASX listed Smart Parking company can convert a staffed car park to technology led ANPR based for $15k per site where is all this money going? Not only does the Chair or the Finance Committee have zero experience he clearly has no capability either.