TORONTO Chamber of Commerce is concerned problems with parking on The Boulevarde are driving people away.
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The chamber has asked Lake Macquarie City Council to explore ways of increasing street parking in the CBD.
"Street parking in the Toronto Town Centre precinct is becoming an issue to local businesses," the chamber told council in a letter.
"With the construction of the new medical centre and commercial premises on the northern side of The Boulevarde adding to the vehicular load, it is an opportune time to assess these issues."
The chamber held its own investigation into the matter and passed the findings on to council.
Some of their recommendations include reallocating some of the "underutilised" taxi rank spaces, and replacing the broad brick paved area on the northern side of The Boulevarde with kerbside parking.
Chamber president Gail Ryan said she wants to see more people respect The Boulevarde parking time limit, and council enforcing it more.
"It can be hard for people, especially older people, to get a park [along The Boulevarde], which might deter them from coming here," Ms Ryan said.
"Toronto is a beautiful place and we want people to keep coming here."
The chamber wants more disabled pedestrian access, such as a kerb crossing from the lower level of Woolworths car park to Hinton Line.
Council's response
LAKE Macquarie City Council said its Traffic Inspection Committee had investigated the chamber’s request and several issues regarding disabled parking require a more detailed investigation. Council officers are preparing a response which they expect to post to the chamber this week.