Grafton Food Emporium Responds to Carpark Concerns

Social media lit up last week when locals noticed boom gates being installed at Grafton Food Emporium. Within hours the posts had spread, with claims that free parking was about to be slashed and warnings the move was nothing more than a cash grab. But centre management says the truth is far simpler and aimed at making shopping easier.

Centre Manager Matthew explained that the upgrades are part of a staged improvement plan, not a money-making scheme. The first stage was completed earlier this year when new undercover parking was added to the Queen Street side of the complex, which now means about 85 percent of spaces are under cover. That change was well received, but Matthew said the next step is needed to deal with a long-standing problem.

“Every day we have between 25 and 35 carparks taken up by people who are not shopping here, they are leaving their cars while they are at work. That has been one of the biggest complaints from customers, who are forced to circle the carpark waiting for a spot,” he said. “The introduction of boom gates is the most effective way to keep those spaces turning over and available for genuine shoppers.”

The system will still allow three hours of free parking, which Matthew described as a generous amount of time for a centre of this size. After that period, the cost will be ten dollars per hour. He stressed the charge is not designed to generate profit and that the funds collected will go back into the community. The centre has already supported local causes such as A Day for Liv and says any revenue from extended parking will continue to be directed to initiatives like this.

Even with the reassurance that three free hours will remain, the move has divided opinion. Some locals welcomed the change, saying it is about time the issue of all-day parking was addressed. Others felt the three-hour limit was fair, pointing out that few shoppers spend longer than that in the centre. One person remarked that two hours is usually enough to do the groceries and grab a coffee, while another noted that unless you plan on spending half a day shopping the changes will not affect most people at all.

Others were less convinced. Concerns were raised about how the gates will affect traffic flow and delivery trucks. Some were worried about safety for staff working early or late shifts, questioning what security measures will be in place. There were also voices who dismissed the plan outright, calling it unnecessary or a money grab.

Part of the frustration stemmed from incorrect information being shared online. A number of posts claimed that free parking would be cut back to just one hour, something Matthew said was simply not true. “Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation has been spread in recent days. We want to reassure people that three hours of free parking is here to stay, and these changes are about making the customer experience better, not worse,” he said.

The debate shows how important parking is to local shoppers. Grafton Food Emporium has become one of the busiest centres in the Northern Rivers, particularly since the closure of the second Coles store at Shopping World. The growth in customer numbers has placed even more pressure on spaces, and management believes the changes are necessary to prevent the frustration of circling cars and full carparks.

In the coming weeks, further details will be shared through flyers inside the centre, as well as through local radio and online updates. Matthew thanked the community for allowing management the chance to clear up confusion and said the focus remains on improving convenience. “We are not doing this to make money. We are doing this to make sure shoppers can find a park when they come here.”

While opinions remain divided, one thing is clear. Parking is a hot topic in Grafton, and all eyes will be on the Food Emporium once the boom gates are in use.