Traffic and Parking: We’ve provided more ways for record numbers of people to access popular areas by means other than the car; ie free buses during holidays and every weekend, wider bike lanes and footpaths and real time roadside signs advising motorists when the precinct is full. Now it’s time to address traffic congestion, parking and overcrowding.
Solutions include prioritised access and parking for residents, a smarter, more efficient transport system, more park and ride spaces, increased ferry travel, drop-off zones, shuttle buses to the National Park and River mouth and quality open spaces and parklands, worthy of a world class community and destination.
Parking is an issue across the region and solutions will be identified. The next council will be finalising the Noosa Parking Study – Noosa Parking Management Plan – Local Area Parking plans and Action and Implementation plan.
In feedback from the DMP, the community indicated it wanted transformational change.
The trial of the people’s park and drop-off zone in the Noosa Heads Surf Club car park provided a glimpse of potential long-term change. (report on results to be publicly available soon)
It asked the questions: Is a carpark the best use of this prime piece of beachfront community land?
Does converting some car spaces into a drop-off zone reduce traffic snarls at the Hastings Street roundabout?
Feedback suggested a grassy, shady area with a grove of trees, properly constructed shelters, water feature for children may be a better use than a carpark.
Open spaces in a congested urban setting are also recognised as breathing spaces that ease a perception of congestion and stress on an emotional and psychological level.
And traffic congestion was observed to be drastically reduced at the Hastings Street Roundabout. Vehicles (waiting for a car park) were not bumper-to-bumper back out of the entrance clogging the roundabout.
If elected, I will work to ensure any innovative new ideas for public spaces will be widely shared and involve public consultation and feedback.
