Suburb fears parking crisis Author: By DAMON CRONSHAW Lake Macquarie Reporter Date: 07/03/2007 Publication: Newcastle Herald
BELMONT businesses fear a lack of car parking during construction of the $35 million Belmont Bowling Club redevelopment will deter shoppers and cost the town millions.
Anne-Maree Perry, who owns Belmont Fresh Fruit, told The Herald yesterday she was concerned a parking shortfall would cause her business to suffer.
"If we don't have enough parking, we will lose customers," Ms Perry said.
Construction of the bowling club development is set to begin after Easter and would take about 15 months, developer Andrew Forbes said.
During construction, the town will lose 84 car-parking spaces because Lake Macquarie City Council sold its Singleton Street car park to the developer for the project.
Smileys Dry Cleaners owner David Scobell said his business relied on customers being able to park close by.
Mr Scobell was concerned that customers would bypass Belmont because of a parking shortfall.
A temporary 39-space car park is planned for Herbert Street, Belmont, on council land with a $50,000 developer contribution.
The council had undertaken to build the temporary car park before the development began, but work has not started on it.
Council spokesman Ken Freeston told a meeting at Belmont Sportsmans Club last night that the car park was being designed but it was not expected to be built before work started on the bowling club.
Belmont Citi Centre manager Barbara Davis said parking was a huge problem in the town and at least 100 more car parking spaces were needed immediately.
Belmont Chamber of Commerce president Susanne Price said the parking shortage had reached crisis point.