Perfect summer weather last weekend had families jumping in their cars to head to the beach causing traffic gridlock which Noosa Council says could be alleviated by people leaving their cars at home and switching to alternate forms of transport.
Traffic queues to Hastings Street and Noosa North Shore over the New Year long weekend were the worst ever seen, according to social media posts, with residents suggesting a myriad of solutions from shutting Hastings Street to all cars apart from Noosa Shire residents to increased river commutes and the construction of more bridges.
On Monday all roads into Main Beach were at a crawl with traffic banked back over Noosa hill and along the entire length of Sunshine Beach Road through the Noosa Junction shopping strip, along Noosa Parade past Munna Point and along Noosa Drive past the Weyba Drive roundabout.
Traffic to Noosa North Shore also had residents heading to social media with the queue to the car ferry stretching past the length of Moorindil Street, through Tewantin CBD and across the bridge on Memorial Avenue to Hilton Terrace.
Noosa Council Infrastructure Services Director Larry Sengstock said council continues to proactively offer alternative travel options, but the sheer volume of vehicles accessing popular areas at peak periods creates congestion issues.
“Our data suggests about 14,000 vehicles access the Hastings Street precinct during peak periods, so no amount of car parking will alleviate
such numbers,” he said.
“Council conducts annual traffic, pedestrian and bike counts on allocated days each year to help determine yearly counts, obtain accurate vehicle data and identify possible solutions.
“Current data indicates that parking in Hastings Street precinct is usually at capacity from 7am onwards.
“Free Go Noosa buses are provided seven days a week during the holidays plus a park n ride option at the Noosa AFL grounds on Weyba Road and parking at the J Noosa,
“If more people took up these options, it would significantly ease congestion.
“Council has also completed an extensive upgrade to Noosa Parade, providing wider pathways and dedicated bike lanes to make it easier for pedestrian
and bike access to the Hastings Street precinct, particularly during peak periods.”
Mr Sengstock suggested The Noosa Ferry as another option to avoid traffic congestion with a Locals’ Pass card offering a 50 per cent discount on Ferry Cruise tickets.
When it comes to Noosa North Shore traffic tidal times limit beach access which causes a back up of traffic accessing the ferry, Mr Sengstock said.
“The current operator has limited capacity and operates as efficiently as possible, given the popularity of Noosa North Shore,” he said.
A new ferry operator will commence in mid-2024, doubling the hourly capacity, offering digital ticketing and providing a modern barge fleet.
