Attachment F - Carparking Evaluation -Noosa Carparking Study - McGagney report

                                                                                                         Noosa Council
                                                                                    Noosa Car Parking Study 2017 - 2032
                                                                                                           Final Report


In summary, the following have been identified as existing transport challenges for Noosa Shire:
   Public transport and active transport infrastructure in Noosa Shire is minimal and underutilised. Noosa is
    currently a heavily car-dependent and car-centric environment for local residents and visitors, with minimal
    use of alternative, sustainable, travel modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. Any
    recommendations around parking will need to consider limitations around viable alternatives to private
    vehicle travel (car).
   Language used in the Noosa Plan around peak parking demands and parking minimums is incongruous
    with the strategic direction for parking, that is, the uptake of public transport and active transport, made
    apparent through the Noosa Design Principles (2015) and Noosa Transport Strategy 2017 – 2027. There are
    36 different potential land uses and associated parking rates for new developments. These may be
    consolidated into fewer groups based on similar parking requirements.
   From at least 1991 to September 2013 a policy was in place to guide Council when assessing a development
    application that sought to make a monetary contribution in lieu of the provision of onsite parking. The most
    recent policy was Planning Scheme Policy 13 “Contributions in Lieu of the Provision of off-street parking”
    (PSP13). However, in May 2013 the state required the removal of PSP13 from the Noosa Plan as a result of
    the introduction of the Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP) and its subsequent conflict with the State Regulatory
    Provision (adopted charges) 2012 and section 347(1)(b) of the Sustainable Planning Act.
   As a formal contribution policy is considered to be in conflict with State guidelines, contributions may be
    sought to lessen on-site parking requirements via voluntary “Infrastructure Agreements”, whereby the
    applicant agrees to make a contribution as compensation for transferring their carparking obligations from
    the development to the community. It is noted, however, that no formal policy is currently adopted by Noosa
    Council to guide negotiations. As such, voluntary “Infrastructure Agreements” are not being undertaken.
   Noosa Shire’s current Shops/Office parking minimums generally exceed those of other, similarly situated,
    regional councils. There is greater variation in Residential parking minimums for other, similarly situated,
    regional councils, however Noosa Shire’s parking rates are generally on the upper end.



6.2      Development Led Parking Policy Options
This section evaluates potential parking policy options and their applicability to the above Noosa context.


6.2.1 Parking Policy Options
There are several potential parking options which are currently implemented by other Council’s within SEQ.
Some of these options which could be considered by Noosa Council include:
   Removal of minimum parking rates;
   Maximum parking rates;
   In-lieu payments;
   Transferable parking entitlements;
   Travel demand parking reductions.

6.2.1.1 Removal of Minimum Parking Rates

Minimum parking rates have historically been enforced in order to support car travel based on the premise that
individual developments should fully cater to forecast parking demands in self-contained on-site car parking
areas. This approach however has had various unintended consequences for urban areas. These consequences
include urban sprawl, fragmented parking facilities, and artificially low costs for the use of private vehicles.


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