Car parking
The recent council report into Merimbula’s parking woes has mostly confirmed what locals already knew: parking in the town is disorganised, decentralised, and relies heavily on "dispersed" kerb side parking scattered across the town's CBD.
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This means finding a park likely requires driving a lap of the entire town and even then the only available car park might be several hundred metres from the intended destination.
Anecdotal evidence shows this lack of centralised car parking in crucial areas is the reason shoppers have deferred to neighbouring towns to spend money.
But just as concerning is the fact the report claims council has fulfilled its obligation to provide an extra 501 new spaces in the past 30 years despite no proof any extra car spots were created in that time.
The report says council provides 404 spaces "within designated car parks" and 822 spaces of "on street parking", but it doesn't say how many it already had before 1986, which is when this report starts its record.
Technically, if there were already 404 designated car spaces and 822 kerb side spaces in 1986, there has been no increase in parking in more than three decades. The chamber will be interested to further probe council regarding these issues.
These problems could have been avoided had council established a comprehensive plan for the town, including defined areas for large-scale parking, civic spaces, high-density and low-density commercial areas, green spaces, hospitality hubs, supermarket areas and entertainment precincts.
A detailed plan, something the chamber has long argued for, would also give locals faith and confidence in the future of their area and increase investment in the town.
History aside, the chamber is encouraged by council’s renewed interest in finding a solution to Merimbula's current parking problems and looks forward to working constructively.
We are willing to accept council's desire to investigate all possibilities for large-scale centralised parking, though we see little choice when it comes to location; Palmer Street is the only space large enough, in the centre of town, with direct access to the new bypass and will not detract from the town's aesthetic.
Lastly, short-term parking solutions to see out this summer while development takes place on Main Street are in short supply; encouraging CBD staff to park at Berrembool could work only if they and business owners commit to the idea.
Regardless, it’s still going to be a tough summer for the town and we encourage visitors and locals to be patient. There will be more to say on this issue in coming weeks.
In the meantime it is now important the community, including groups like the Chamber of Commerce, maintain pressure on council to come good with their promise to start getting plans down on paper for the future of our town.
Mitchell Nadin, Merimbula Chamber of Commerce
Do it earlier
Last year the council left it until Christmas to resurface the Palmer Car Park. The lack of car parking caused serious loss to Merimbula’s retailers.
The council doesn’t understand or doesn’t care that for retailers the season starts about mid November and not on Boxing Day. It looks like the council did not learn from that and we are facing the same problem this year too. In addition, when will the council build enough car parking to meet Merimbula’s long term needs?
Merimbula Newsagency
Look at CBD needs
What has happened to Merimbula's CBD car parking that the council is seriously suggesting that people park outside the shopping centre? The council would not do it in Bega and it should not be the future for Merimbula. When will the council start looking after Merimbula's CBD needs?
