TIME zones for parking at Crescent Head Foreshore Reserve will be limited and in one area stopped altogether to combat illegal camping in the seaside town.
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The issue of ‘free camping’ at the reserve car park has been a long-standing issue for locals during holiday seasons with many claiming the 2015/16 Christmas period was the worst they have experienced.
Crescent Head residents told the Macleay Argus the problem was so bad some mornings that more than 30 vans and cars were permanently occupying the car park to the exclusion of locals and day visitors, who were unable to find a parking space.
They also accused the ‘campers’ of using the reserve as a toilet and a rubbish tip with many claiming to have found faeces, used toilet paper and tampons.
A meeting was held with council and the community in early January to discuss the issues where it was resolved to establish a no stopping zone from 11pm to 5am across the entire foreshore carpark and to install four-hour limited parking signs across the Point carpark.
At the Local Traffic Committee meeting on February 2 those recommendations were supported unanimously where it was resolved, once approved by council, to:
1. That the parking spaces in the ‘Point’ carpark section be made four-hour timed parking
2. That the parking spaces in the ‘Playground’ carpark section remain un-timed; and
3. That all parking spaces within both carpark areas of the Crescent Head Foreshore Reserve be made no stopping from 11pm to 5am.
Those recommendations then went to the council meeting on February 16 where councillors were asked to adopt the Local Traffic Committee recommendations.
However, Cr Bruce Morris asked councillors to support an amendment to the recommendations by having more community input and involvement in the consultation process.
“I agree with the Local Traffic Committee’s recommendations,” Cr Morris said.
“But can we add that council have a review committee that also consists of three residents from Crescent Head - with reviews after each public holiday.”
Cr Sue McGinn said she had no issue with three members of the community being involved in the process.
“However, a full community meeting has already been promised when and if issues arise after the Easter period so I would rather stay with what was agreed to at the community meeting.”
Cr Morris said he was not suggesting that there be no public meeting.
“I’m suggesting that what is reviewed consists of the Local Traffic Committee, council staff, and three members of the Crescent Head community and those review recommendations still go to a public meeting.”
Mayor Liz Campbell: “Are you suggesting that we add another layer of bureaucracy?”
Cr Morris: “I’m suggesting that we have some degree of community ownership of the changes which might make the community more accepting of what is happening by having input into the plan.”
At the end of debate Cr Morris’ amendment to the recommendation was carried (approved) where the council resolved to:
1. That the recommendations of the informal meeting via email December 23, 2015 and informal meeting via email February 2, 2016 be adopted.
2. That council implement the overflow parking in Willow St; and
3. That council forms a review committee to review the parking arrangements with that review committee comprising of three residents from Crescent Head and that the committee meet after each holiday period as required
