Local Contributor
15 May 2024, 2:06 AM
Hi, I am a long term business owner in Kiama (>20yrs), and am very concerned with the lack of interest that the council shows towards improving the parking situation in the CBD.
I am located near the Akuna street car park, the last remaining substantial parking facility in town. With the proposed development taking over this space, we will have no parking-specific spaces left in the main CBD of town. There are approximately 60 businesses from the Torys corner to the Red Rooster corner, so even with a low estimate, thats 60 car spaces required for the workers, minimum, without even considering our customers/clients/patients/tourists.
Instead of focusing on builiding more housing estates and developments, our council needs to be held accountable and provide us with services to keep our town running. Recently there was a social media post from a fellow long-term business pleading for customers to keep them running. This kind of post is extremely sad, but unfortunately will be repeated by many businesses in town if we dont get more parking facilities.
There are options, one significant option would be the construction of a large parking facility behind the "old firestation"/ambulance station. It is reasonably flat, and would provide access to the new park, as well as many of our CBD businesses. I have approached the council in the past, with very little outcome.
I think it is time for your wide reach and readership to get this ball rolling. Im not sure how it could be done, but would it be something that you guys would consider shining the spotlight on, before its too late? Thanks for all you do for our great town, keep up the great work!
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