No Parking signs erected on Cranbrook Road for the new Batemans Bay Bunnings warehouse have hit a raw nerve among businesspeople with premises on the street.
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Two No Parking signs were put up on the south side of Cranbrook Road and three on the north side before midday on Tuesday, leaving at least seven businesses without on-street parking.
“There’s no parking up and down the street,” 3D Sail proprietor Geoff Krause said.
He said he understood some space was needed for the new store, but too much had been taken.
“Eight or nine parking spots have been wiped out.
“We rely on having parking here, and we have people who park caravans and boats, and they won’t be able to park out the front.
“When people bought their businesses here they understood that there was on- street parking.”
Mr Krause said he had spoken to proprietors of other affected businesses who felt the same way.
“Other businesspeople are not impressed either,” he said.
He believes the resulting death of parking spots will have a domino effect in the area.
“People will start parking in front of other premises, and they will lose their parking,” he said.
“This is not going to help.”
Mr Krause said he had had no notice from Bunnings or anyone that the signs were going in.
Bunnings says it is complying with requirements from Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Bunnings general manager Andrew Marks said the signage was required to ensure safety and efficient traffic flow in the local area.
“We are working hard to complete the project as quickly as possible to minimise any inconvenience to the public and local businesses in the area,” he said.
A council spokeswoman confirmed the signs were part of council’s conditions of consent, which was reviewed by the Eurobodalla traffic committee, which includes the RMS, police and Department of Transport.