After a meeting with Mr Humphries last Thursday, when the minister stated if anyone else out there wanted to stake a claim they had to do it now, council moved quickly to put its intention in writing.

The letter from Cr Besseling confirms Minister Humphries’ statement that “no decision has been made on the sale of the Plaza car park” and that proposals will be accepted for alternate uses of the site apart from Woolworths’ suggested development. Crown Lands is in a direct negotiation to sell the Plaza car park to Woolworths  for a supermarket development. Cr Besseling’s letter states council seeks to ensure the future usage of the site along the following guidelines:

1. To maintain the existing level of car-parking as a minimum

2. Provide enhanced activation and pedestrian access to public space and the foreshore.

3. Be consistent with Town Centre Masterplan objectives and comply with other planning instruments

4. Contribute to local and regional GDP as a key economic driver for the Port Macquarie CBD

5. Be consistent with the principles of Crown Land Management.

“We have just been made aware of the opportunity and wanted to start the process as soon as possible,” Cr Besseling said. He described it as a strategic investment in a crucial community asset.

“Council has gone through the public forum process recently.”

The purchase would look to be funded through the use of car parking reserves, he said, and the full support of councillors to act on behalf of the community would be confirmed through a resolution at council’s ordinary meeting in August.

“If council can acquire the Short Street/Plaza car park site it will continue working with the community to ensure that whatever happens with the site meets with community needs as well as community expectations,” he said.