Community action sees Administrator intervene in sale of Woy Woy Commuter Car Park
Central Coast Administrator Rik Hart has requested that Council holds off on the sale of the commuter car park at Woy Woy until after the State election.
If Labor wins the election, Council would ask the new State Government to reopen negotiations with Transport NSW to take responsibility for the car park.
Mr Hart said he has taken on board the concerns of community members and the Member for Gosford, Leisl Tesch, about the potential sale of the commuter car park to a private owner.
“I understand the sale of a public asset to a private owner can raise alarm bells for the community, regardless of the fact that safeguards remain in place to protect parking in Woy Woy for decades to come,” Mr Hart said.
“I agree with the community that commuter car parks at public transport hubs on the Central Coast are essential.
“However, Council does not need to own rail commuter car parks to achieve this outcome, just as it doesn’t own schools, hospitals or police stations, which are also essential to the community.
“Commuter car parks are the responsibility of the State Government, and Council does not own any other commuter car park on the Central Coast.
“Council’s preference was to align the Woy Woy commuter car park to these traditional ownership structures and transfer the site to Transport for NSW (TfNSW),” Mr Hart said.
“However, to date, TfNSW has declined to take on this responsibility, despite TfNSW owning another commuter car park adjacent to Woy Woy station, with plans for expansion.
“I welcome the passion of the Member for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, in representing the interests of her community and I seek her support, should Labor win the NSW Government election later this month, to reopen negotiations between Council and TfNSW and encourage TfNSW to take responsibility for the Woy Woy commuter car park.
“Upon the resumption of negotiations after the 2023 NSW State Election, I have asked Council’s CEO to go through a thorough due diligence process, including seeking the perspectives of the community.”
At present, Council leases the 700-space commuter car park to TfNSW.
This lease is in place until 2065 and gives TfNSW full control of the car park, including the ability to set the fee for parking (which is currently zero).
However, as the owner, Council is responsible for renewing the car park, at an average cost of around $270,000 per year, and receives a peppercorn rent of $1 in return.
“Transferring the site off Council’s books allows the annual $270,000 maintenance costs, plus the eventual replacement costs which would be significantly more than this, to be reinvested into other community infrastructure and services that need Council’s attention,” Mr Hart said.
Mr Hart said a second part to the 28 February Council resolution, which authorised the CEO to negotiate on the extinguishment of Council’s Option Deed to acquire car park spaces in the shopper car park beside the commuter carpark, will remain unchanged.
“I can commit that any profit from the extinguishment of Council’s Option Deed be allocated for community infrastructure projects in the Woy Woy area, to ensure the community sees the benefits of any agreement directly,” Mr Hart said.
The proposed new owners of Deepwater Plaza approached Council to extinguish the Option Deed on the shopper parking and to buy the commuter carpark.
For more detail: see last week’s story: https://www.cccouncilwatch.com.au/council-to-consider-selling-woy-woy-car-park
Photo: A press conference was held on March 2 with residents saying the wanted to fight the sale: from left are Michael Wilder Peninsula Residents Association; former Member for Gosford Marie Andrews; MP for Gosford Liesl Tesch and Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Wales.
Sorry, not sure who the people holding signs are.
Later the same day, Mr Hart issued a press release saying he had heard the community and was taking on board their concerns.
