Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is calling for a discussion about making the town centre car free for a few hours on Sundays.
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The discussion is part of council's economic development and growth Think 2050 - focus group.
The topic will be discussed in an online forum later this month.
But the idea failed to captivate the chamber of commerce and several businesses within the CBD perimeter.
Chamber executive officer Mark Wilson said he was unaware of any other regional city centre where a similar idea had been done.
"We will be discussing this suggestion at our next executive meeting with council," Mr Wilson said.
"It's the first I've heard of it (the idea).
"I think there needs to be a exploration of the costs and benefits to the business community of Port Macquarie.
"It would be interesting to learn how council sees this as a benefit to the business in the CBD.
"Tourists would probably support the idea but we know peoples' habits and they will want to park right outside a shop to do business," he said.
"Chamber does not have concerns right now but we do have plenty of questions."
Chamber does not have concerns right now but we do have plenty of questions.
- Mark Wilson
Majestic Cinemas CEO Kieren Dell said Sundays were the busiest day of the week for his business.
"It would be problematic.
"We have a lot of elderly people and people with disabilities who attend our cinema on a Sunday. So access would become an issue.
"We also know that when the city centre is closed for events - such as Ironman - it vastly reduces our income for that day.
"I don't think that we could support the idea; I can't think of any reason why we would support it."
Mr Dell said Sundays were also popular because there is no parking restrictions in place.
He said many people come into town on a Sunday and that would take away their ability to park within the CBD.
"So closing the CBD to traffic does not make sense to me," he added.
Priceline Pharmacy's shop manager Peta Lisk described any move to make the CBD car free for a few hours on a Sunday as having "a bad impact on us".
Priceline rebranded the pharmacy 12 years ago but the site has featured a pharmacy for over 70 years.
Ms Lisk was concerned about elderly residents who come into the CBD on Sundays to fill prescriptions.
"People find it hard to park near us now," she said. "Let alone having no parking at all for a few hours.
"Some of our customers are elderly or unable to walk long distances, so I'd be concerned for them.
"Any move for car free Sundays would have a huge impact on us."
Any move for car free Sundays would have a huge impact on us.
- Peta Lisk
Ms Lisk, who has worked at the pharmacy for 18 years, says the idea of creating a mall had been discussed over many years.
She did not think the current economic climate was the right time to be talking about removing car access to the CBD, even for a few hours on a Sunday.
"I don't think businesses in this area can afford to lose any more car parking," she said.
"It is a very difficult time for everyone,"
Chop n Chill's Paul Cudmore said he could not support the idea because of the age of residents within the community.
He said Sundays were also traditional their busiest day of the week.
"We have an older aged population along with many young families with children," he said.
"We have as many as two or three wheelchairs in here on any given day because our access is really good.
"And families utilise the playground - which is about to be upgraded - so where will they park?
"I don't think that this is a good idea," he said.
He said the Town Green upgrade took six months to redevelop which had a detrimental impact on his business.
You can register to join the focus group discussion, which is on Tuesday, August 18, from noon to 1pm.
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