STAFF safety has been called into question by some businesses following the introduction of permit parking in the central business district.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Three CBD parking zones are now subject to restrictions by Bathurst Regional Council – two as long term lease parking and one for short term paid parking permits.
The car parks, the first, between 73 William Street and the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum could provide around 14 new spaces, while a second parking bay next to the TAFE William Street entry will provide six spaces.
A third expanse of land is at the rear of the former TAFE complex on William Street has around 18 spaces.
Council documents show the long term lease parking would be available at $30 a week. Short term car park (behind the Fossil Museum) rates are estimated to be $2 an hour or $10 a day (8.30am to 6pm).
Pantano’s Bar and Grill owner Fiona Miller said it was a safety concern that her staff will have to park further away
As a small business I can’t afford it, especially as a restaurant.
- Pantano’s Bar and Grill owner Fiona Miller
“As a small business I can’t afford it [to lease the sites], especially as a restaurant, there’s very small margins,” she said. “Thirty dollars a spot per week, that’s $1500 a year for one car park. There’s not a hope in hell I can afford that.
“It is a concern, but I feel like there’s not much I can do about it because there’s too much opportunity for council to make money out of it.”
However, Bathurst Regional Council general manger David Sherley said funds raised through the parking areas will be used to assist with maintenance costs of the former TAFE building.
OPSM manager Josephine Finn said CBD staff were “getting pushed further and further out”.
“It certainly affects staff, especially late at night,” she said.
“We can’t go to the shopping centres and move [our cars] every couple of hours.”
Ms Finn suggested the car park at the rear of the old TAFE building should be made into a council-only area, to free up on-street parking for her customers.