NOT all members of the Port Macquarie community want the sale of the Plaza carpark to be stopped and now Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling has weighed into the debate.
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This week, a petition which garnered 12,650 signatures in four weeks was taken to parliament by Country Labor representative Kristy Quill.
Mr Besseling believes a commercial enterprise could be the best option to take advantage of the idyllic waterfront space.
"I'd like to see the land remain with public ownership; whether that's a mix of commercial enterprise, carparks and mostly open space, that's what the community wants," he said.
"The community has spoken. They don't want a big box supermarket and I agree with that.
"I'm not locked into any outcome. It could be a bar, it could be a cafe, it could be a restaurant or it could be accommodation but one thing I do know is that the community do not want it to be a big box supermarket."
Mr Besseling said there were 21 expressions of interest in the land and the original concept from council was to have a look more broadly at how the space could be used.
"The community has made it quite clear they want to keep the spaces there while also providing the opportunity for commercial ideas," he said.
He remained confident the sale could be stopped because the community had been strong in their feelings and views.
"If the state government have been listening then the result will be that the sale won't go ahead. I want it to remain as good quality open space."
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said negotiations were ongoing.
"The Department of Primary Industries is engaged in commercial negotiations which are confidential and this government is liaising with all stakeholders in the community in relation to the Plaza car park," she said.
