Very low usage and the availability of other, free parking in Gosford’s city centre will see the former Kibbleplex site’s commuter car park close on weekends starting this month.

From Saturday 11 June 2016, the operating hours for the site’s 400 free commuter car parks will change to Monday to Friday between 5.30am and 9pm each weekday.

Central Coast Council’s Director of Community Growth Judy Jaeger said that except for major city centre events the commuter car park was virtually empty on weekends.

“Council worked hard as part of the site’s sale earlier this year to make sure it would be business as usual at the car park for the foreseeable future,” Ms Jaeger said.

“But with weekend usage at the car park very low and plenty of other free parking available in the city centre, especially at the nearby Imperial Centre, the cost to the community of keeping the car park open seven days a week is no longer sustainable.

“We also expect that closing the car park on Saturdays and Sundays will reduce some of the security issues at the site.

“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience and thank the community for their understanding,” Ms Jaeger said.

Council will continue to liaise with the site’s new owner to have the car park opened at certain times on those weekends when a major event is being held.

“I can also assure the community that we’re continuing to develop a long-term car parking strategy for Gosford’s CBD,” Ms Jaeger added.

“This strategy will look at a number of options including possible changes to council’s current Baker Street car park, potential sites for new car parks, as well as lobbying the NSW Government to provide more parking to support all its facilities and services in Gosford.”