There has been a mixed public response to the Noosa Main Beach People’s Park but Council CEO Larry Sengstock said it has improved traffic movements and helped minimise congestion around the Noosa Heads roundabout.
“This trial is among a number of options to help alleviate traffic issues and look to create a better flow of traffic while minimising the queuing of vehicles waiting for carparks,” he said.
“The flow has improved greatly on Hastings St, Noosa Woods and Little Cove and we really haven’t seen the level of gridlock we normally see at this time of the year.“
Acting Infrastructure Services Director Shaun Walsh said a local resident told council staff that they have never seen the roundabout functioning so well.
“We’ve heard from families who appreciate the drop off area and workers who are being dropped off and picked up,“ he said.
“Lifeguards are impressed with how relaxed and pedestrian friendly the car park is and we have really seen a significant improvement in access to the beach for SLSC and Emergency Services and their vehicles.
“Repurposing car parking spaces for people was always going to be contentious and divisive, but this trial was about alleviating the constant risk of mixing cars and pedestrians outside toilet and shower areas and creating a family-friendly environment near Main Beach.“
This week Noosa Today spoke to people at Main Beach about the People’s Park and this is what they said.
“I like it. it could be improved, but for the first time, it’s not bad,“ visitor Danny said.
“It’s probably a good idea. The traffic is bad. You need to pull the carparks away so people can come in on bikes. It gets busier and busier. It’s a problem all around the world,“ Sunshine Coast resident Martin Brown said
“You’ve saved 40 parks and opened parking on a park on the hill. The cars have to go somewhere,“ visitor Gary said.
“It’s such a densely populated area. We’ve arrived here on holiday. We really like it. We don’t have a car. We’ve been using the free buses on the circuit,“ said Margaret.
In letters to Noosa Today resident Phillepeau O’Callaghan said it showed “no regard for residents who come to the beach 365 days a year for exercise and leisure. The focus is all on tourists – as if we need more,“ he said.
“Noosa does not need a “people’s park” when we have a beach and a spacious boardwalk.“
Scott Bull described it as “a visual and usage embarrassment“.
“A few cheap marquees, a couple of ordinary pot plants and several huge concrete blocks… who’d want to sit there – when you have one of the world’s great beaches and streets to enjoy?,“ he said.
“Banning cars won’t help anyone. How do you get kids to the Main beach and Groyne beach with all their surfboards and boogie boards? (You’re not allowed to take some surf gear on buses). How do you get old people down to the river mouth? How do you get your dog down to the dog beach?
“Some people can’t afford to stay in Hastings street and choose to stay in lovely accommodation a couple of kilometres away. Restricting their access options, some would say is discriminatory against less wealthy Aussies.“
Other people took to social media to express their views.
Andrew Kippen said “ultimately, the only feasible and forward-thinking vision for Hastings Street is delivery vans and buses only – no cars. It is inevitable. The longer council dithers without grasping the future, the longer Noosa will remain famous for its traffic nightmare“.
Gerri Ferguson thinks council had the right idea but needs to take it further. “I would like to see a permanent grassed space with trees and permanent picnic shelters and BBQ. Keep the through drop off area, handicap parks and scooter/bike parks. It could be amazing,“ he said.
Rosalind Tyson said “let’s face it if it’s Bondi, Manly Beach or a beach at the Gold Coast parking is impossible anywhere in holiday season, not just Noosa“.
“I can’t see a multi level carpark ever to be built in Noosa – too ugly. But if I had to build one I would build it where the car park is now in the National Park then more people would have easier access to that area also and it’s hidden from view, although it might upset the locals, and no matter how big it was it would never be big enough, so learn to take the free buses and ban the cars,“ she said.
Mr Walsh said the People’s Park was welcomed by QPS and Emergency Services on New Year’s Eve.
“It worked extremely well in creating a safer precinct and the behaviour of crowds was much improved than previous years, and the more prominent location of Queensland Police and support services was a beneficial factor,” Mr Walsh said.
“Storms have impacted the usage on most days, but there has been strong visitation later in the day, providing a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.“
Council will review the feedback and liaise with Hastings Street Association about the trial.
Those who utilised the People’s Park are encouraged to email their thoughts to mail@noosa.qld.gov.au.
