PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council proposes to offer a $1 nominal purchase price in a bid to buy the Plaza car park.
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Councillors and staff will discuss the council’s approach in the lead-up to an extraordinary council meeting.
The community feedback of no net loss of parking, pedestrian activation and commercial opportunity would also guide any expression of interest submission, mayor Peter Besseling said.
Cr Besseling said this would be pursued through a public/private partnership, with funds generated from the venture set aside for the foreshore upgrade and maintenance.
A council expression of interest submission relies on approval at an extraordinary council meeting before the February 6 submission deadline.
The final decision about the car park’s ownership rests with the state government which opened expressions of interest to sell the parcel of Crown Land.
Crown Lands had earlier been in direct negotiations with Woolworths.
The supermarket giant planned to develop its Food for Less site and the adjoining Plaza car park.
The expression of interest marketing material describes the waterfront CBD location as an outstanding opportunity.
Cr Besseling said if the site was sold/transferred to the council, it would remain in public hands.
“We then have the ability to develop the site in order to provide ongoing maintenance and improvements to the foreshore over a long period of time,” he said.
Cr Besseling said the council would be looking to enter into a private/public partnership for the commercial development component.
The mayor said the commercial aspect under the council’s proposal would fund ongoing improvements and maintenance with an initial focus on the site and water-based opportunities.
“It also gives council control over what type of development goes on the site, consistent with providing a pedestrian friendly CBD with feet on the street,” he said.
Woolworths released its revised vision last year which proposed shop fronts along the Kooloonbung Creek foreshore with modern architecture, landscaping, pedestrian links and a Woolworths supermarket.