AN EXTENSIVE new multi-level car park at the Gladstone Entertainment Centre is closer to becoming reality.

The initial announcement was made during Premier Anna Bligh’s visit last week, but details of the proposal have been brought before council this week.

On Tuesday morning, council voted to proceed with analysis of a proposal from Gladstone Ports Corporation, under which the ports corporation would fund and manage the project, adding a further five decks on top of the current three levels of parking.

Mayor Gail Sellers emphasised yesterday that final approval was yet to be granted by council, but said things were moving in a positive direction.

Council’s director of community services Cale Dendle outlined details of the proposal to The Observer this morning.

Under the proposal, the ports corporation would fund construction of the project.

Mr Dendle said the ports corporation approached council with the idea just before Christmas, but a formal proposal was only made in early April.

Cr Sellers said the proposal had a number of benefits.

“It still has to come back for the final decision at council,” she said.

“But we have instructed the officers to do further investigation and get the proposal just right.”