GYMEA Chamber of Commerce will seek state government funding towards adding a level to the council-owned car park at Gymea, which could potentially be used by rail commuters.
This comes after Sutherland Shire Council revealed an expansion of the South Street car park, adjoining the shops and station, was notin its 10-year traffic and transport plan.
Chamber president Esna Lee said she was "pretty disappointed" with the council's response, given discussions over many years.
"They said 'five to 10 years' a few years back," she said. "I will pursue it with other government agencies."
Asked if a bigger car park could include commuter car parking, given the growing need, she said: "I think so, and we also need more residential parking".
Ms Lee raised the subject during an interview with the Leader at a recent state election forum on business.
She said adding a level to the council car park was the chamber's top priority following the completion of the shopping centre upgrade.
She said she had discussed it with a visiting government minister and would pursue the matter during the election campaign.
Ms Lee said the proposal would not only provide much-needed extra parking for shoppers, but would mean a level walk to shops, instead of the present steep climb. This would particularly benefit the elderly and people with disabilities.
COUNCIL OPEN TO IDEAS
A SUTHERLAND Shire Council spokeswoman said ‘‘at this time, there are no plans within council’s 10-year traffic and transport plan to build a multi-deck car park in Gymea’’.
‘‘With limited financial resources available to council to build multi-deck car parks, additional rail-commuter parking should be the responsibility of the NSW government’s Transport for NSW, as is the case with the Sutherland multi-deck parking station now under construction,’’ a spokeswoman said.
‘‘Council is open to discussing funding models that may fast-track more parking with all stakeholders and, if practical, would review its position.’’
The spokeswoman said Gymea shopping centre offered more than 200 parking spaces in Gymea Bay Road and adjoining streets and 87 spaces in the South Street car park.
‘‘These are timed spaces to enable more shoppers to access the centre by car,’’ she said.
‘‘While there is a significant level difference from the street to the off-street car park in South Street, council did undertake major works to improve the gradient and accessibility between the car park and Gymea Bay Road as part of the shopping centre upgrade.’’
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