LOCAL business owners and employees have been left frustrated following the removal of all-day parking from the Woolworths and Big W carpark in Gawler.
Gawler Council issued warnings on behalf of carpark management across a two-week period to notify users the space would be changed to a two-hour limit, before expiation notices were introduced
this week.
Businesses opposite the Woolworths and Big W stores, including those in the Gawler Arcade, have been forced to park their vehicles in the higher levels of the Finniss Street multi-deck carpark, which for some has been less than satisfactory.
Open Door Christian Bookshop management committee member Shirley Klose said it had become a concern.
“Our shop is run solely on volunteers and most of them are senior and a number of them have disabilities and find it extremely difficult to walk from an all-day car park to the store,” she said.
“I’m concerned about that. “In discussion with the staff, two hours seems too little when it comes to shopping, having lunch – it’s just not enough.
“There’s no long-term parking anywhere in the main street.”
Businesses in the area were not notified of the changes by carpark management, and Ms Klose said the recently installed signs are not informative enough.
“None of us saw the signs, they weren’t obvious, we were used to the fact it was a private car park,” she said.
“It doesn’t show up anywhere other than the main entrance.
“It’s only because I put it in our communications book that our staff are being made aware of it.”
However, Gawler mayor Karen Redman said the time zones are “clearly signposted”.
“Signage installation commenced in June and was completed the end of August,” she said.
“There are various different time zones that have been allocated across the carpark.”
Despite expiation notices being issued by council, Ms Redman said the carpark is privately owned.
“Permission is not required for the owner to implement any restrictions that they deem necessary to ensure the orderly and fair use of their carpark,” she said.
“On completion of the signage in August this year, council staff took instructions from the owners for cautions to be issued for a twoweek period in order to raise awareness off the time restrictions.”
Council is currently reviewing the Gawler Town Centre Car Parking Strategy 2017-2020, which is due to expire next year.
“An initial community workshop was held in August to discuss car parking issues,” Ms Redman said.
“Council will be seeking to convene further opportunities to engage with the local community in order to provide input into this review, and the development of a new strategy moving forward.”