A citizen’s jury, selected at random, is among the measures Port Stephens Council would implement to consider parking shortages as part of a revised Nelson Bay Town Centre and Foreshore Strategy.
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Heavy traffic and associated parking shortages was a recurrent concern submitted to the council in its review of the 2012 strategy.
“A citizen’s jury is a concept often used by local governments whereby a group of randomly selected members of the community consider the issue at hand and provide a recommendation to council,” the council’s acting section manager of strategy and environment Marc Goodall wrote in his report to councillors.
“It is a concept designed to both improve a community’s understanding of an issue whilst arriving at a shared set of actions and recommendations to resolve a complex issue.”
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The council conducted traffic and parking counts during the April school holidays, Easter weekend and “typical weekdays” in July and August 2017.
The counts found that parking operated under capacity during a typical weekday and that “capacity was reached” during peak holiday periods.
“This jury will consider all traffic and parking data, the associated funding options and discuss short and long term options,” Mr Goodall said.
“As mentioned in the draft delivery program, a recommendation may involve exploring suitable car parking lands on the periphery of the town centre, reviewing existing timed parking arrangements or possible options to redevelop existing parking sites.
“The jury will consider the facts, receive presentations from traffic and financial experts, debate the data and present an informed recommendation to council.”