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Where will we park our cars in Kiama? Finding a place to park your car in Kiama could soon become even more difficult than it already is when construction begins on the current site of the Akuna Street car park. The car park, located behind Terralong Street between Shoalhaven Street and Collins Street, offers some of the only non-street parking spots to local businesses and residents living in the units above. For employees working in buildings on Terralong Street (such as The Bugle), it is the only guaranteed spot to leave a car during the work day. Level 33, the developer that bought the car park from Kiama Council for $28 million, announced plans to build 344 basement car parking spaces, on the site, along with 24 retail premises, two supermarkets and 82 residential units. The Bugle understands more
parking spaces may be made available. While the announcement of at least 344 parking spaces is welcome, questions remain as to where these workers will park once Level 33 begins construction on the site? One helpful Bugle reader spent some time counting approximately 100 parking spaces currently available at Akuna Street, which also includes the smaller parking lot on the south side of the street. Both car parks are typically full by lunchtime, and with their impending closure, there will be approximately 100 additional cars lining the streets. There’s also the issue of policing those vehicles. The majority of Kiama’s public parking spaces are metered, and drivers risk parking fines for leaving their car longer than the allotted time. Council currently employs one part-
time parking patrol officer, as well as three Compliance Officers that cover all aspects of compliance, including parking. With the addition of 100 more cars on the street, that job is going to become even more difficult. Numerous readers have written to The Bugle to enquire about what will happen once construction begins on Akuna Street. Kiama Council told us that traffic, construction zones and parking considerations are being undertaken as part of the assessment process for the site’s development application. The Southern Regional Planning Panel will still need to make a final determination on the DA. “Ultimately, the proposed Akuna St development is aiming to replace the parking formerly available at grade and includes additional parking for the proposed develop-
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ment-based increase in activity,” Kiama Council’s statement reads. We also spoke to Level 33, who are interested in working with the community to provide a solution for those that use the parking lot. As the DA is still in the early stages of the review process, there will be time for Level 33 to present its findings before construction actually begins. We want to hear if you have any ideas of how to solve Kiama’s pressing parking problem. Are there any alternative sites you think workers could park their cars when development on Akuna Street begins? Brendon Foye
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