By Margaret Maccoll
Hastings Street Association (HSA) president Shane Harvey said staff parking was not a new problem. It was an issue he discussed with all staff prior to employment.
“This has been going on for a long time at Noosa. We’ve just started to address it.”
This month Noosa Council responded to requests from the association to introduce three and four-hour restrictions from 8am-5pm at parking areas at Noosa Heads Lions Park and next to #2 Hastings Street, which are regularly used by local employees.
Mr Harvey said his 30 employees used a combination of mopeds, public transport and ride-sharing and parking in Noosa Woods.
While his staff may be happy with the arrangements, many others have taken to social media to vent their anger and councillors have weighed into the online debate on Noosa Community Noticeboard Facebook.
A petition set up by employees has gained almost 200 signatures protesting the parking limits.
Councillor Ingrid Jackson said the new parking restrictions followed a survey conducted by HSA showing 120 to 200 employees parked daily in the Hasting Street precinct and introducing time limits would allow parking for 400 or more cars.
Glenn Zerafa said it was interesting that having identified via a survey that so many employees needed parking, the best decision available was to just restrict it with no available alternatives.
Cr Jess Glasgow said he disagreed with the implementation of parking restrictions without first consulting employees.
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said he welcomed the business-led initiative aimed at freeing up Hastings Street’s limited parking for residents and visitors.
He said it was in keeping with council’s Noosa Transport Strategy which, among other things, aimed to encourage residents and visitors to walk, bike, scooter and use public transport, instead of driving cars and manage traffic and transport better to reduce traffic and parking congestion.
“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,” he said.
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.
“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.”
View the Stop taking all staff car parking petition at
www.thepetitionsite.com/750/461/355/stop-taking-all-staff-parking/
