Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, has called on the NSW Government to support local efforts to take the pressure off foreshore parking by extending the Gong Shuttle's operating hours on 14 days over the peak of summer.
"This summer we expect to see a considerable influx of visitors to Wollongong.
"These additional summer visitors will add to local economic activity but they will also add to demand for foreshore parking", Mr Scully said.
Currently the free Gong Shuttle operates from 8am to 6pm on Saturday's and but this is reduced to 9.40am to 5.20pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Mr Scully said that having the Gong Shuttle operate from 8am to 6pm on both Saturdays and Sundays would reduce passenger confusion and increase capacity while helping to reduce pressure on foreshore infrastructure.
"The free Gong Shuttle, which was introduced by Labor and saved by Labor, has helped alleviate parking pressures around Wollongong for years and could help do this around Wollongong's foreshore this summer more effectively with a small change to its operating hours.
"Extending the hours on Sundays and public holidays is a small contribution that the NSW Government can make that could help make a big difference to Wollongong over summer", Mr Scully said.
Mr Scully said that he had written to the Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, suggesting the extended hours summer Gong Shuttle, and hoped that as someone from a region that experiences the pressures that additional tourists can have on local infrastructure, the Minister would see the sense in the suggestion.
"The Berejiklian Government is spending millions to support Sydney CBD and Sydney beaches over summer and it's time they spread this support to other areas that are going to experience an increase in visitor numbers this summer.
"An extended summer Shuttle service would encourage locals and visitors alike to use less obvious parking options around Wollongong while still allowing people to access local businesses and beaches.
"In this instance, extending the Shuttle hours on 14 hot days could make the difference this summer", Mr Scully said.
