A great wedge has been driven between Nelson Bay business owners over the merits of paid parking and is threatening to put some shopkeepers on a direct warpath with business groups, Port Stephens Council and east ward councillors.
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At the May 12 council meeting, Port councillors voted in favour of installing paid parking meters in the Nelson Bay town centre and introducing free parking for residents, ratepayers, and town centre employees.
The opposition to paid parking has been led by prominent Bay businessmen Allan Cassano and Heath Jones, who have been highly critical of the council's rush to approve the 'smart' system without a business plan and a "promise" that businesses will benefit from revenue for the CBD.
The council has rejected accusations of a lack of communication and consultation, saying "there has been significant consultation undertaken in Nelson Bay... engagement was targeted towards the Nelson Bay business, community and residents, and focused on providing information about council's plans for Nelson Bay town centre projects".
Mr Cassano has labelled the concept as "disastrous" for Bay business.
"It's bad economics and a disincentive for tourists to visit Nelson Bay. Seriously, who is going to download an App for a coffee, a loaf of bread or a newspaper?," Mr Cassano said.
"We have no projected income or revenue and no study on impact to Nelson Bay business. These should have been conducted before undertaking the consultation and it highlights the disconnect between the business community and the council."
Mr Jones said the council premise that there was strong, positive community and business support was not an accurate gauge of business sentiment.
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"One circulation of fliers and three hours on a Thursday morning without clear notification about what was at stake is in my view a poor effort. My feeling is that most businesses were unaware of what was really under consideration," he said.
"We are still in the dark on a number of issues, such as where exactly will paid parking apply? Will council carparks be exempt? How much income will be generated?
"Previously council has said that paid parking on the foreshores generates very little (or no) surplus funds. What will be the effect on tourists if parking is free in Salamander Bay and Shoal Bay?"
Cafe owner Megan Tyson described the plan as "messy" and would be another nail in the coffin for many CBD businesses already reeling from COVID-19 and visitation restrictions.
"What is happening here is that every other town centre will benefit on Nelson Bay's misfortune. Tourists will simply drive on to the next shopping town."
Two Bobs Bakery owner Rob Daniels said it was often difficult for small business owners to attend drop-in sessions.
"I would have liked to know there was more accessible information available."
Tackleworld's Brent Hancock said he relied on tourists to keep his business ticking over.
"We should be encouraging visitors to shop in the Bay not pushing them away. Many of my customers come from areas where there is no paid parking."
Magnus Street butcher Guy Angrisano said that paid parking would hurt every business and would not alleviate the parking problems the town centre experiences during peak holiday times, while newsagent Gary Ramponi was critical of the lack of consultation.
"Has the council looked into the long term effects on both revenue and whether or not paid parking will ease the existing parking problems."
The promise of a revitalised CBD was great incentive for real estate agent Deb O'Neill and design store owner Kim Burbridge to support the smart system. Ms Burbridge said that most coastal towns operated paid parking systems, "but the key for our business is the planned upgrades promised by council".
"We have a commitment from council that all money generated form parking will go back into the town. I believe a more vibrant town will be enough to bring tourists in and if visitors are prepared to pay for parking along the foreshore then I see no reason why they wouldn't do the same in the town centre," said Ms O'Neill.
Both Tomaree Business Chamber and Nelson Bay NOW are seeking more detail. Chamber president Leah Anderson was critical of the lack of follow-up information from the council.
"From our initial consult the chamber believed the system would be a great way to fund the domain plan. We asked to see some modelling to support council's claims that the system had worked in other coastal towns to help us understand how it would work and to help us make an informed decision. Unfortunately, we never heard back from the council."
In a letter to the council, NOW secretary Peter Clough has called for additional information and a copy of a "business case".
"We would welcome more detail on the development of Nelson Bay CBD infrastructure including elements of the public domain plan and parking. For example, would council consider borrowing to expedite the much-needed upgraded town centre place activation program," he said.
"We would also welcome more information on where the paid parking will apply. Can council include estimates of parking numbers and split between 'free' (PSC residents, ratepayers) and paying parkers? We believe a complete overhaul of parking restrictions in the CBD is appropriate and this would be an ideal opportunity.
A council spokesperson said that the existing area of smart parking would be supplement by the Nelson Bay CBD area, which includes the area generally bound by Government Road, Church Street, Tomaree Street, Yacaaba Street and Victoria Parade. It also include eastward extensions for the commercial areas of Magnus Street and Donald Street.
Some of the engagement initiated by the council included a letterbox drop and doorstep discussions, stakeholder meeting with the business chamber, Stockton Street drop-in session, online survey and dedicated 'have your say' webpage.
But Mr Jones was critical of the newsletter's contents.
"It does not say 'we are thinking of introducing paid parking to the CBD - come and tell us what you think'. Instead, it states free parking for locals, and provides an introduction of extended paid parking."
"What were the responses to the door step discussions?" asked Mr Cassano.
On paid parking schemes proposed also for Birubi Point and Shoal Bay, the council spokesperson said "these studies in addition to community consultation will form the basis of any parking proposal".
"Council is in the final stages of contract negotiations with the supplier, and a timeline for delivery will be available soon. Our target date for commissioning is post spring 2020 school holidays," the spokesperson said.
"An extensive communication and education program will be delivered prior to ensure affected residents, ratepayers, businesses and visitors are aware of the changes and how to take advantage of the permit scheme and smart parking features."
East ward councillor John Nell said he suspected that very few members of the public would be aware of the scheme and that "council will need to inform and assist residents to become familiar with it", while Cr Glen Dunkley has described the process as "one of the council's largest consultation efforts".
"This creates a fair system that will allow us to use the funds from the parking directly back in Nelson Bay to getting cracking with the public domain plan, which is something that we have been waiting on for a long time," Cr Dunkley said.
"In addition to the structured discussion, I actively sort feedback through talking directly to business owners, residents and visitors and the feedback was overwhelmingly supportive when they understood the funding benefits."
Central Ward's Cr Sarah Smith saw the introduction of smart parking as a positive move.
"Surely having more cars being able to access parking and shops will be a bonus for businesses. With regard to Birubi and Shoal Bay I believe consultation will commence at a stage after the NB system is in place and working."