New traffic measures will take effect in Hastings Street from 20 December to 6 January to help ease congestion, improve safety and the visitor experience during the busiest time of the year.
Noosa Council acting director of infrastructure services Shaun Walsh said changes will include the Main Beach Reserve (next to Noosa Surf Club) being converted to a two-lane drop-off zone.
“More than 14,000 vehicles a day enter the Hastings Street precinct during peak holiday periods, which creates major problems with traffic congestion in this area,” Mr Walsh said.
“Building on lessons learned from last year’s trial, we’ve made some changes aimed at improving traffic flow in the Hastings Street precinct and providing beach goers with the ability to drop off their gear during the busy period.
“From Friday 20 December until 6 January, the Main Beach Reserve car park will be strictly a drop-off zone. Traffic marshals will operate in the drop-off zone between 6.30am and 5.30pm to assist motorists and visitors coming in and out of this area.”
The drop-off zone will have a storage area for bicycles and other items. There will be additional motorcycle and scooter parking, extra accessible parking and a relocated loading zone on Noosa Drive (between the Noosa Parade and Hastings Street roundabouts).
Reserved spaces will also be available for lifeguards, while additional portable toilets will be located in the car park at Main Beach from 7am to 7pm.
Overflow car parking will be available at the Noosa Heads Bowls Club and the traditional Lions Car Park will be operating from Saturday 14 December.
There will be a full closure of the area on New Year’s Eve to provide access for Queensland Police and emergency services.
In addition to the temporary traffic measures, council’s free Go Noosa holiday buses will operate until 27 January. More bus stops have been added to the free bus loop route and free park-and-ride services at the AFL grounds will also operate from Saturday 14 December until 27 January.
