2017-03-13 GC - Attachment 1 to Item 5 - Draft Transport Strategy 2017-2027

Community and Stakeholder Feedback –
What you’ve told us
Noosa Council has engaged with consultants, key stakeholders and the community to
understand both the transport challenges in Noosa as well as the possible solutions. Council
has welcomed the hundreds of ideas and suggestions on addressing Noosa’s traffic and
transport issues. Throughout 2016 the Noosa community and key stakeholders were very
active through the Your Say Noosa website, writing letters, sending emails and talking to
Councillors and staff. At last count, Council received 992 comments for the Draft Transport
Strategy, with more letters and feedback still coming in!

Residents, employees and visitors alike are becoming increasingly frustrated with traffic
congestion and parking difficulties in Noosa’s hotspots during peak holiday periods, on week-
ends and also during major events. In 2016, approximately 58% of visitors to Noosa were
day-trip visitors with the vast majority arriving by car. Population growth South of Noosa Shire
is expected to increase by 30% over the next 10 years, thereby increasing the pressure on
Noosa’s road network even further. For visitors who arrive by car, the message could be “give
your car a holiday while you relax in Noosa”.

Congestion in key hotspots cannot be addressed in isolation. Rather, any changes to car
parking or road configurations needs to address the impact on surrounding areas. In order to
maintain the laid-back Noosa lifestyle, it is important to resist the pressure to increase capacity
for more cars and more car parking.

While congestion and car parking may be an issue for coastal areas, lack of public transport
services and long distances between town centres is a concern for some hinterland residents.
Hinterland residents are particularly car dependent. Dispersed populations often make public
transport unviable. A regional, low-density area like Noosa is unlikely to experience the levels
of public transport use that high-growth metropolitan areas enjoy. Demand responsive transport
solutions such as the Boreen Point-Tewantin Flexilink Service, as well as other community ride
sharing services, have the potential to offer alternative transport options to ensure Hinterland
residents are able to access key services and facilities.




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