MOUNT Gambier City Council has lifted a land management agreement on the Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League’s Ferrers Street car park.
Elected members voted to remove the agreement, which stated the area must be maintained as a car parking space, following discussion in the chamber at this week’s full council meeting.
Councillor Steve Perryman opposed the motion to remove the agreement.
“The RSL is in an unenviable position, but I believe the planning rationale when the Land Management Agreement was put in place is still relevant and the same circumstances still apply,” Cr Perryman said.
“We can’t guarantee there won’t be a change of use at the RSL property or at one of the other properties in the vicinity.
“In fact there is a development application in the system at the moment at the Target site which will result in the reduction of 109 car parks.”
Cr Perryman questioned the accuracy of a report prepared for the independent development assessment panel.
The independent body assessed the report and allowed a variation to the number of car parks required by the league before the removal of the land management agreement was put before council.
“I’ve been aware for many years that not all of the car parking at the rear of the club is actually available – there are eight parks not actually usable,” Cr Perryman said.
“The facility was permitted to be built by council with a certain number of car parks and the report that went to CDAP indicated a deficiency in car parks.
“Developments in the vicinity will likely increase demand for parking in the area, so I will not be supporting the motion.”
Council authorised the mayor and chief executive to remove the agreement at the full cost and arrangement of the RSL.
