Kogarah business owners are calling on Georges River Council to send them a lifeline after a decision to cancel their parking permits.
The business parking permit scheme was introduced by the former Rockdale Council eight years ago and gave business owners special permits to park on the eastern side of Railway Street at Kogarah West.
Aangela’s Florist owner Megan Barker said they were notified about the changes in April by Bayside Council.
The decision would see the zone change from two hour parking, permit holders excepted to just two hour parking.
The implementation was deferred for three months after fierce opposition.
In that time business owners met with Bayside Council and Georges River Council staff as well as Member for Kogarah Chris Minns.
However, in June business owners were informed the cancellation would go ahead with the scheme to end on July 31.
Ms Barker is fighting for the scheme to be retained.
She said most of the affected business owners operate businesses that back onto the railway line or do not have designated parking on site.
‘’Taking this parking away from the local business owners would be another shot in the foot for those who already feel the strain of inconsistent trade and reduced foot traffic due to the timetable changes at Kogarah train station,’’ she said.
‘’Most are sole traders and the proposed two hour parking would be impossible to abide by unless they have at least another staff member with them.
‘’For the last eight years, the public and business owners of the area have been able to share the designated parking area without any issues.’’
She said they were willing to compromise by moving the zone to the opposite side of the street or on a side-street.
Ian Tajjour has run Kokos Hair Studio for the past 37 years.
He said it was hard decision to swallow after hearing the news.
‘’Small business owners are suffering as it is, taking parking away from us is going to make it more difficult,’’ he said.
‘’The last thing you want to do is close the business every couple of hours to move your car.
‘’All the council is looking for is more revenue and to make more dollars.
‘’It is going to make it very difficult to operate the business in these conditions.’’
Maria Pierou Sinanis operates Constantine and Co Solicitors and said she was disappointed with the decision.
She said parking was already a nightmare with clients consistently late trying to find a parking spot.
‘’It’s disappointing that council hasn’t tried harder to help local businesses because most are sole traders and it is really hard,’’ she said.
‘’I’m a sole trader and I have a baby so I can’t come down every two hours when I have customers.
‘’Just give us some parking, just something. Even try and broker a compromise with Bayside.’’
Charlotte Kriegisch operates C.K Dental Clinic and had a permit.
‘’I have patients booked in so I can’t always pop out to move the car,’’ she said.
‘’I might even look for another area to settle the business because I can’t see that Kogarah has a lot to offer for parking.’’
A Bayside Council spokesman said a review found the scheme was not servicing businesses in the Kogarah West area very well as all permit holders were operating businesses within the Georges River Council area.
“A joint meeting between Bayside and Georges River Councils agreed that parking areas surrounding the Kogarah central business district would be reviewed,’’ he said.
“Georges River Council has confirmed that they are preparing to undertake a review of parking needs, including the feasibility of a business parking scheme in the Kogarah Central Business District.’’
In a letter to Ms Barker Georges River Council General Manager Gail Connolly said they were required to undertake a parking study before deciding on any parking permits.
She said the council is currently working on developing a brief to appoint a consultant to prepare a car parking strategy for the new Georges River Council.
Unfortunately for business owners the study is not expected to be completed until early next year.