Patrick Lane of Ken Lane Menswear was critical of council for "putting its parking interests ahead of Central Maitland traders", desperate for council to build a multi-storey car park in the city centre.

Mr Lane said the civic precinct plan was another low blow for businesses trying to survive in The Levee. "It's no problem for council to spend $5.4 million on their own car parking requirements but no money to put a multi-level car park in central Maitland," he said.

But Mr Evans said the $5.4 million was not just for parking. It also includes demolition of two buildings, site preparation, storm water, sewer, power, Devonshire Street widening and footpaths.

Mr Lane said traders attended a parking workshop with "consultants" but there has been no correspondence since. Mr Evans said council was still waiting for the consultant's report includes parking analysis and statistics. "Once we receive that information it will be a base for us to determine what, if anything needs to happen and when."

Mr Lane said council has discussed the idea of a multi-storey car park for 40 years. "How can it be so easy to deliver parking for council and so hard to deliver the same thing for the community?"

Real estate agent Michael Haggarty agreed. "I understand what Mr Lane is saying and he probably feels the pinch more from inadequate parking than I do.

"For me it's not just the parking issue it's the $42 million being spent on the whole civic precinct - it's way too excessive.

"Any builder submitting quotes for council jobs charge over the top because it's a government job. How do they find these dollars yet can't do what the community requires like parking.

"There is also no heritage flavour to the (new) council building, yet they wish to dictate to everyone else in the city - purely double standards," Mr Haggarty said.