Transport plan gets the go-ahead

Following significant community consultation, including stakeholder gatherings, pop-ups and more than a thousand submissions, Council has adopted its Noosa Transport Strategy 2017-2027.

The document paves the way for a range of possible congestion-busting solutions.

Mayor Tony Wellington thanked residents for contributing ideas - many of which are incorporated in the Strategy.

“There was strong support for a high-frequency shuttle service to move people between key destinations,” the Mayor said. “We also hope to trial park-and-ride services, particularly to and from the Main Beach precinct. 

“In the short term, we’ll begin working with local schools to roll out a walk-and-ride to school program which has proven successful in the past. As well as reducing school traffic, the program has added health benefits for kids,” the Mayor said.

“Priority transport lanes are also under scrutiny. They could ensure buses are not stuck in traffic, as well as encourage greater use of more sustainable transport solutions such as bicycles, scooters and perhaps electric vehicles. This approach would require considerable changes to infrastructure and so it needs a lot more work to support a business case.

“We will also need to harness up-to-date expertise to consider the many types of technology available for paid parking. If we move to paid parking in high-use areas, we’ll certainly consider exemptions for residents or for everyone at non-peak times,” the Mayor said.

“Any revenue from paid parking would be used to fund initiatives such as free shuttles and park-and-ride services. 

“Around the world we’re seeing new technology being harnessed in transport solutions. This includes subscription services, share hire vehicles and autonomous or driver-less vehicles. It certainly feels like we’re on the cusp of some very big changes in commuter behaviour.

“Feedback from residents suggests that transport is the major issue on people’s minds right now. Previous Councils have shied away from tackling this growing problem. The current Council is determined to find a way to reduce congestion and improve transport solutions across the Shire. Of course we don’t control the local bus service, which is a State Government arrangement with TransLink. But we will need to work with TransLink to provide some broad scale solutions. 

“In the end, this is about amenity for both residents and visitors. For decades Noosa has avoided big city symbols like tall buildings, traffic lights and advertising billboards. Now we need to deal with our city-style traffic jams, particularly those that occur during peak holiday periods.”

19 June 2017