A new public car park with almost 300 parking spaces has opened in the Coast’s emerging city centre.
Funded by Sunshine Coast Council, delivered by Walker Corporation and constructed by Hutchinson Builders, the eight-storey PARKnGO Lightning Lane car park is set to benefit workers and visitors to the new Maroochydore CBD.
Council CEO Emma Thomas said people using the car park would get one hour of free parking and an introductory rate of $6 per day.
From April 1, 2024, the first hour of parking will remain free and the second and following hours will be charged at $2.50 per hour, capped at a maximum daily rate of $12.50.
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“The new parking fees will allow for a user-pays schedule, where people will pay for the time they use in a similar approach to our PARKnGO Mooloolaba Central car park,” she said.
“We understand that providing parking is a service to our community that needs to be balanced with repaying the construction loan and covering the operating costs for the multi-deck car park.
“The user-pays approach introduces a pay-as-you-go fee structure that provides a fairer and more sustainable funding model to repay debt and service operating costs for the broader Sunshine Coast ratepayers.”
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Walker Corporation group executive, development Peter Saba said the multi-level car park delivered convenient car parking for users of the CBD.
“As the new Maroochydore city centre continues its rapid transformation, this is an exciting milestone for current and future CBD workers, including those who will occupy our premium office tower at 50 First Avenue by Walker,” he said.
Located at 4 Lightning Lane, the new car park is open 24 hours every day and includes 39 motorcycle spaces; six accessible parking spaces; four EV charging stations supported by 80Kwh of rooftop solar; and end-of-trip facilities including parking for 28 bikes and accessible bathrooms with showers and toilets.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said PARKnGO Lightning Lane would bring stress-free parking to the city centre.
“In addition to increased parking, the ground floor of the building includes space for commercial tenancies which council hopes to award in the new year,” he said.
Wayfinding signage in and around the car park will help residents and visitors navigate the area, and well-lit spaces and clear sight lines aim to increase safety and create an active space.
Ambassadors wearing blue PARKnGO shirts will be onsite assisting car park users.
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