GO NOOSA TRANSPORT INITIATIVES 2023/24 EVALUATION AND 2024/25 IMPLEMENTATION · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                           12 AUGUST 2024


transport and traffic initiatives. The recent recruitment of the Sustainable Transport Co-ordinator
and other qualified staff will see proactive resumption of initiatives. It is noted however that Phase 1
of the DMP engagement process, early feedback indicating a strong preference by respondents for
green space not to be used for carparking.

A traffic review completed by an independent engineer has indicated that the removal of the overflow
parking at Lions Park, will not increase congestion, rather it will assist with traffic flows on Noosa
Parade. It is also note that traffic controllers have also shared their feedback on the negative impact
Lions Paid Parking has on days that it is operational, compared to when it is closed.

For consideration is also the number of carparking spaces provided in context to the scale of traffic
movements. The daily average number of vehicle entering the precinct at Christmas time
was 13,175, with the temporary car parking catering for on average 239 carparking spaces, or 1.8%
of vehicle movements.

Accordingly, there is no recommendation to continue the use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park for the
2024/25 peak season.

In term of broader initiatives moving forward to better manage carparking demand in the locality
include;
          • A Parking Management Plan is under preparation, which will include a local area plan
             for Noosa Heads
          • A Movement and Place study is proposed for the 25/26 FY, that closely considers
             future use of the Noosa Heads Lions Park, the Noosa Heads Bus Station, the Maze
             Carpark and the Main Beach Local Government Reserve and holistically considered
             the uses, design and circulation within these critical spaces for Noosa Heads
Both these initiatives will be subject to further Council reports and community engagement.


8. MAIN BEACH “PEOPLE'S PARK / DROP OFF ZONE”

8.1 Outline

The public land beside the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club in Main Beach is a reserve for local
government purposes under the trustee of Noosa Council. The space has historically been used for
carparking as a main entry point to access Main Beach.

As part of a continuous improvement exercise in the 23/24 Christmas period the space was
repurposed for two-week peak period from the 23 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.as a Main
Beach Peoples Park / Drop Off zone to improve traffic circulation, improve precinct safety during
New Years Eve, as well as improve emergency vehicle and surf lifesaving access to the patrolled
beach.

The proposal to improve the traffic circulation around the Hastings Street roundabout, due to traffic
queueing into the roundabout whilst vehicles were dropping off in the entrance or waiting for a park,
causing blockage on Hasting Street. This has been a contentious point for residents and businesses
for many years. There are also aligned concerning concerns for pedestrian safety on the entrance
ramp, particularly the congregation around the toilet entrance

Reducing the number of vehicles queuing on the entrance ramp to the car park thereby decreased
the likelihood of pedestrian and vehicle conflicts at the main entrance to Main Beach during the
festive season. To better manage pedestrian and vehicle movements in the area, the duration was
extended.