The shortage has come at a time when Bay businesses have been forced to endure a second summer holiday season without a major supermarket.

Mr Milne, one of the longest serving business owners in Port Stephens, said the shortage was a result of high demand and the loss of parking spaces due to a range of factors.

‘‘These include the closure of the old Coles car park for construction [130 spaces], the closure of the Donald Street multi story car park [107 spaces], construction workers occupying 50 to 70 car spaces from 7.30am, and vehicles parked illegally in timed and loading zones,’’ Mr Milne said.

‘‘We appreciate that Port Stephens Council has provided two new replacement parking stations [120 spaces] but they are without time limits and being used all day.’’

A Port Stephens Council spokesman said its focus has been on ensuring there was no loss of the total number parking spaces available within the Nelson Bay CBD following the closure of the upper decks of the Donald Street East car park in late 2014.

‘‘This was achieved with the creation of temporary carparks at Yacaaba Street and Government Road prior to Christmas of that year,’’ the spokesman said.

‘‘Furthermore, development consent for the new Woolworths will ensure the provision of 184 spaces when it opens in April.’’

Mr Milne was particularly critical of whoever was responsible for placing duct tape over the three-hour signs in the lower level carpark of Donald Street East.

‘‘By 8.30am this carpark is full and most of these cars are there all day,’’ he said.

‘‘I would like to know who is responsible.’’

Mr Milne has called for urgent action from the council’s rangers, including a more sustained effort in enforcing regulations and the upgrading of signage and line marking.

‘‘Rangers should be doing parking enforcement all day every day from December 28 to January 26 each year,’’ he said.

‘‘I would also like to see the 23 spaces in the upper level of Donald Street West carpark turned into a three-hour limit.’’

The council spokesman said rangers regularly patrolled parking in the Nelson Bay CBD during the summer holiday period.

‘‘The three hour parking restrictions at the Donald Street East carpark remain in place,’’ the spokesman said.

‘‘Any signage that has been covered up has been done so without council’s consent.

Mr Milne has also called for a doubling or tripling of the fines for vehicles parked in loading zones or trailers parked over several car spaces.

‘‘The combined revenue the council receives from business rates, paid parking and developers contributions is significant,’’ he said.

‘‘It is high time we received some support back from the council.’’