SUPPORTERS of a $300,000 bid to increase car parking spaces for Keppel Street have failed to have the money set aside in Bathurst Regional Council’s 2014-15 budget.
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They wanted the money spent on upgrading the Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre car park.
Councillor Monica Morse tried her best to fight for the Keppel Street cause at Wednesday’s council meeting, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Cr Bobby Bourke said it was one of the toughest budgets he had been involved with as councillors argued against including the money in 2014-15.
Wednesday night’s debate followed the public exhibition period for council’s 2014-15 budget, where calls to set aside $170,000 for sealing, drainage, landscaping, signage and lighting in the car park and $130,000 to upgrade the pedestrian access to Keppel Street were supported by about 500 submissions.
Following lengthy debate on the issue at Wednesday night’s meeting, it was decided the funding would be included in the 2015-16 budget.
Cr Morse initially suggested the $170,000 to seal the car park be included in the budget, while asking that investigations be made so that the $130,000 for the pedestrian access could be taken from the Urban Sealed Roads Program.
City engineer Doug Patterson said this would mean one street would miss out on being rehabilitated over the next financial year.
Cr Warren Aubin told the meeting that everyone in the room was probably in favour of finding the $300,000.
“I don’t like to rain on anyone’s parade, but it’s not possible this financial year,” he said.
“What about the Stanley Street car park in the bicentenary year? Surely it should take priority.”
Cr Bourke echoed Cr Aubin’s sentiments.
“This is one of the toughest budgets in my 10 years on council,” he said. “And one of the tough decisions we have to make is in regard to Keppel Street.
“The car park can wait. It’s a tough year and I have explain that to Peter Wright [Keppel Street Committee member].”
Cr Bourke also mentioned the hundreds of submissions received in favour of the $300,000 being included in the budget.
“Well, there’s lots of submissions with multiple signatures of the same person. Some have signed them six or seven times each. They are all over the place,” he said.
Cr Ian North also told the chamber it was a tough budget, but reiterated that council does care about Keppel Street, mentioning the addition of the Redjar Redbottle sculpture in the art gallery forecourt.
“It’s [the budget] one of the toughest ever,” he said. “This is a consolidation year for us. Let’s be responsible. The work can be included in the 2015-16 budget.”
In the end, Cr Morse agreed the funding could be held over until 2015-16.
However, if the money does become available this financial year, the project will be fast-tracked.
