Brendan Simpkins

AN EXTENSION of weekend hours at Gawler’s multi-story carpark is on one local councillor’s agenda, with hopes to provide a boost to local businesses.

The Finniss Street carpark closes at 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, however Cr Cody Davies wants to see that extended by an additional two hours to 9pm.

Mr Davies submitted a motion on notice to Gawler Council’s February 23 meeting that the hours be extended.

However, the meeting closed before motions on notice could be dealt with.

Speaking in support of the motion during the public open forum portion of the meeting was TableTop Warfare’s Alicia Hera-Singh.

The Murray Street business is known for hosting board game and card tournaments, as well as other events, in its premises.

Sometimes those tournaments can run past the operational hours of the carpark.

Competitors are bound to strict rules, which can prevent them from leaving a game midway through, particularly if it is a recognised national tournament.

While other nearby carparks have time limits, the Finniss St Carpark has all-day parking which is beneficial for the visitors to TableTop when competing in all-day tournaments.

Ms Hera-Singh said a number of instances had occurred where customers had been caught-out by the operational hours of the carpark.

“Most of our games run for a minimum of three hours, so they are sort of pushing it if they want to park somewhere all-day,” she said.

“(When closed) they have to ring the number which is on the board and they will come out which is a $50 fee as far as I’m aware.

“You are getting a fine for your car being in there, which is difficult because now it is either that or all-day car parking but the only all-day car parking is behind the building which is actually owned by this building but they let anyone park there.

“There’s not really anything else around that’s all-day.”

Ms Hera-Singh said the extension would help take some pressure off both staff and customers.

Mr Davies said he had received dialogue from the staff at TableTop who explained the situation to him.

He said weekday hours were not presenting an issue for customers, with the carpark opening at 4am and closing at 10pm.

“It was something I looked and thought ‘I can change, it is a council decision’,” he said.

“It is still shorter than the weekday (hours) so I don’t know why seven in particular, especially since it still opens at 4am, it seems like you might as well be generous with the closing time.”

Mr Davies said he had confirmed with council staff that extending the hours would not have a financial impact on council.

The motion will go back before elected members at the next ordinary council meeting for a decision.