A CAR parking dispute between a prominent Gawler pub and Gawler Council is preventing the venue from increasing its patronage by up to 120 people.
The Exchange hotel is requesting council approval to raise its maximum capacity from 230 persons to 350 on Friday nights, to cater for the growing number of people looking to kick their weekends off at the local establishment.
Council has argued the increased patronage would result in an additional car parking demand of 40 spaces, and wants the hotel to contribute a gazetted amount of nearly $300,000 to its car parking fund, in lieu of creating new allotments.
As a counter offer, The Exchange offered to pay $20,000 towards the fund – more than the average yearly amount that has been added to it over the past nine years – however, that bid was rejected by elected members at their July meeting last fortnight.
The decision was split 4-3, with five councillors declaring a perceived conflict of interest before debating the issue – however, only Cr Jim Vallelonga left the room as a result, and therefore did not vote on the matter.
The Exchange hotel owner Damian McGee was at the meeting to pitch his case, but not before elected members had discussed legal advice, obtained by the council, behind closed doors.

Council staff had recommended Mr McGee give his presentation in confidence, however this advice was ignored by elected members who voted to permit the public to sit in on the discussions.
“Obviously, it’s a much bigger issue for council administration than I ever thought it was,” Mr McGee said.
“I’m happy to try and work through to see what their concerns are, but it’s a little bit hard, obviously, when they’ve got their legal advice in confidence.”
Mr McGee said he found it “ridiculous” that council was asking The Exchange to contribute almost $300,000 to the car parking fund when there was already nearly $450,000 in it, and for him to do so would be “bad business”.
“At the end of the day, I’ve got these people here already (on Friday nights), there are enough car parks around already,” he said.
“I understand there may be some regulatory constraints that come into that, but it would allow us to reinvest in the business, hire more people…and continue to play an active role in the community.
“They’re saying they are willing to negotiate, but I don’t know what that negotiable amount will be. “At the end of the day, I’m sure a lot of business owners in this town want to see a lot of red tape and bureaucracy removed.”
Legal advice obtained by the council stated the gazetted rate “can lawfully be departed such that a lower rate can be applied in appropriate circumstances”, but cautioned that careful consideration must be given before doing so.
Gawler mayor Karen Redman said the elected body made the decision “to be consistent” with council’s existing legislation.
“There’s certainly talk around reviewing our policy, and I’m certainly supportive of that,” she said.
“But, bearing in mind, Gawler is one of the lowest car parking contribution rates in the area, and for similar-type councils.”
Council chief executive Henry Inat will continue negotiations with The Exchange to pursue a funding
contribution that aligns with the gazetted car parking rate of almost $7500 per space.