Kable Avenue carpark: Tamworth ratepayers unimpressed with proposed sale of public asset, as council prepares to extend White Street

Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) has asked potential buyers to put in expressions of interest for the carpark next to Ray Walsh House.

There's concern among Tamworth Regional Ratepayers' Association (TRRA) that the space could be transformed into a high-rise residential development, president David McKinnon said.

"It's a public asset being sold off for private interests," he said.

"We fought against all community land being converted to operational, and the reason we did that is the community loses control of that land.

"The community no longer has the property, it becomes property of bean counters in council."

With limited undeveloped space in the CBD, Mr McKinnon is concerned the carpark sale would limit any opportunity for the council building to expand in the future.

"For the short term it looks like a great idea, but if we truly expand the population and the community has greater needs into the future, those have to be factored in," he said.

TRC declined to comment on the sale of the carpark until the EOI is complete and submissions have been reviewed, but a spokesman said any decision would be led by Blueprint 100.

The 45-space carpark closest to Fitzroy Plaza is mostly used by the council's staff, fleet vehicles and visitors.

At the same time the council has made public plans to extend the White Street carpark next to Bicentennial Park by 50 spaces in the next few months.

Read also:

It will include two disabled parking spaces and six motorcycle spots, TRC sports and recreation manager Paul Kelly said.

"The extension of the White Street carpark will help support future economic and population growth, as it is within a three-minute walk to the Tamworth CBD," he said.

"The design has been completed in consultation with the local RSL club, who have given approval of the extension of the carpark in relation to the Man-O-War gates."

The council spokesman said the White Street extension isn't connected to the Kable Avenue proposed sale.

"In the event that the carparking lot was to be sold, the council would be required to address car parking requirements and any other relevant conditions of the building approval for Ray Walsh House," he said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: