Timed parking to support travel-to-work behaviour change

Acting Mayor Frank Wilkie has welcomed a business-led behaviour change initiative, aimed at freeing up Hastings Street’s limited parking for residents and visitors.

Inspired by the aims of the Noosa Transport Strategy, hotels and restaurants are encouraging staff to catch buses, car share, cycle, use mopeds or park a short walk away at Noosa Woods.

“The aim is to free up the parking areas next to #2 Hastings Street and Noosa Heads Lions Park for locals and visitors – the traders’ customers – to use,” Cr Wilkie said.

To support the behaviour change effort Council is introducing timed parking in these areas.

“From December 26, four-hour parking limits will apply in the Noosa Heads Lions Park carpark, and three-hour parking limits will apply next to #2 Hastings Street,” Cr Wilkie said.

“Although the 3P and 4P signs are now in place, an amnesty applies until Boxing Day to give Hastings Street workers time to adjust to the changes before they’re enforced,” the Acting Mayor said.

Cr Wilkie said the timed parking – requested by the Hastings Street Association – will apply from 8am to 5pm, meaning night-shift workers can still park in these areas.

Council expects the changes to boost public transport use, particularly high-frequency buses running between Noosa Junction – which has all-day parking – and Hastings Street.

"Between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week, there is a bus running at least every 15 minutes between Hastings Street and Noosa Junction,” Cr Wilkie said.

“With a GoCard, the most you will pay per trip is $3.20 to travel from anywhere in the Shire to Hastings Street.”

In a win for scooter owners, Council will be providing additional all-day scooter parking opposite the toilet block in the Noosa Heads Lions Park carpark.

There are also still some all-day car-parking bays in the Noosa Heads Lions Park carpark near the toilet block, plus Noosa Woods has all-day parking areas.

Cr Wilkie said the Hastings Street Association had been communicating the changes to its members for several months.

The Association has delivered information sheets to each business explaining the reasons for the move away from all-day parking in some areas.

“Council will continue the Free Holiday Bus initiative this year. It provides free public transport on five TransLink services as well as an additional shuttle bus servicing Peregian Beach, Noosa Junction, Hastings Street and Noosaville from Boxing Day until January 5,” Cr Wilkie said.

“Change is always difficult. We’re urging community patience as we implement these changes, and other measures to be introduced over the coming years as we strive to preserve the things we love about Noosa in the face of increasing pressures."

22 November 2017