Parking in Parramatta remains a vexed issue.

Parramatta Council recently exhibited a draft Local Environmental Plan No. 2 seeking to clarify the classification of car parks, that is attempting to ensure that they are classified as “operational”.

“Operational” means that the Council can do what they like with the car parks, including sale. Views have been expressed over the years to the effect that, because Council purchased the land and built the car parks with monies either gained from Section 94 contributions or by way of levy on CBD property owners, then the Council holds the land in trust in perpetuity.

Parramatta Council has gone through a consultative process, including a public hearing and, as a result, Council is to further investigate a number of matters of concern.

The Council’s aims are no doubt noble but it is imperative that there be a very thorough consultative process and the Chamber calls upon the Council to provide information to property owners, managers and representative groups including the Property Council of Australia and this Chamber before proceeding with any change to the classification of the car parks.

Whilst there might be a trust in the current Council, if, in the future a badly run Council was forced to sell off the Erby Place car park, many in the business community would be very concerned.

As our car parks presently stand, they are protected. Should we agree to giving Council free reign?