Proposal to ease car parking burden in Double Bay

Developers will benefit from proposed changes to the car-parking contribution required by Woollahra Council for projects in Double Bay’s shopping centre.

The council is preparing to do its own markdowns: reducing the charge for each parking space from$38,496 to $27,325.

At the same time it is planning to scrap the requirement for a car-parking contribution in relation to c change of use in the commercial area – unless there is to be a net increase in gross floor area.

In the past, a change of use from one type of business to another could leave the prospective business owner seriously out of pocket.

The council hopes that making amendments to the contributions plan and car-parking development control plan will help to promote business in the centre.

The change has come about after a study of the retail area and a Land and Environment Court case challenge by the developer, Fivex Commercial Property, who was unable to put car-parking on its site, on the corner of Knox Street and New South Head Road.

The council’s director of planning and development, Allan Coker, said provision of car-parking in the Bay could be achieved at a much lower cost than previously thought.

“Lowering the rate to $27,325 per space is on the basis of the true costs of the construction,” Mr Coker said.

The court-appointed quantity surveyor did the calculations, leading the council to reconsider its charge.

Cr Keri Huxley was concerned that the council was not preparing for a time when there might not be enough parking for the commercial centre.

“Can we not as a council determine what is the best outcome for parking?  Why don’t we have a capacity to estimate the maximum demand for parking in Double Bay so we can plan for that now?” Cr Huxley said.

Mr Coker said there was evidence that there was an ample supply of parking in the Bay.

“This proposed change will improve the life and vitality of the centre,” he said.

Wentworth Courier

By Kim O’Connor 23 January, 2008