A GROUP of Sutherland Shire business people believe they have found a solution to Cronulla’s chronic parking shortage - and all it will cost the council is a lick of paint.
Fed up with some drivers hogging two parking spots, the business owners are calling for the introduction of ‘‘determined’’ car parking spaces or white line marking on main roads around the Cronulla CBD as a quick and inexpensive way to free up more car spaces.
The idea was suggested in last year’s Shire Future Forum and is being championed by Shirebiz, a group formed to represent local businesses and with the aim of promoting growth in Sutherland Shire.
The group includes Cronulla retired businessman Tony Blain who said that determined car space white line marking on roads in north and south Cronulla would maximise car parking.
‘‘The majority of streets and roads that are unmarked are subject to a more casual approach to parking,’’ Mr Blain said.
‘‘Driving around Cronulla’s streets, there are many obvious gaps between vehicles.
‘‘Marked car spaces would allow more disciplined parking, and therefore more spaces for customers and visitors to the Cronulla area.
‘‘More importantly, it will be a minimal capital outlay to the council. All it would be is the cost of the paint.
‘‘This is not about leasing spaces or introducing metered parking. It’s just about maximising the space that exists.
‘‘This is a low budget, minimal capital expenditure for providing more parking.’’
Mr Blain said it would not be easy to determine how many extra parking spaces could be achieved by introduce determined parking.
‘‘At best any extra single car space is one more space than we have at the moment,’’ he said.
WHERE IT’S NEEDED
The streets that the group believe would benefit from determined parking are:
North Cronulla — Prince Street, Bando Road, Marlo Road, Burke Road, Nerang Road, Gosport Street, part of Kingsway, Wilbar Avenue, Gerrale Street and Ozone Street.
South Cronulla — Laycock Avenue, Ewos Parade, Waratah Street, Nicholson Parade, Taloombi Street, Allison Road, Richmount Street, Parramatta Street and Arthur Avenue.
Shirebiz group has presented the concept to the council and it is now being considered.
Do you think it’s a good idea? If not, how would you manage parking at Cronulla?
