Paid parking could be introduced in one of the region’s most iconic beach towns.
Sunshine Coast News has been told “everything is under consideration” amid Noosa Council’s attempts to manage traffic at Peregian Beach.
Councillor Brian Stockwell recently met about 80 locals at a forum hosted by community group Peregian Family and Friends.
The PFAF reported that Cr Stockwell informed them that council was undertaking traffic and parking studies to manage growth and to plan for infrastructure needs to 2046, including the potential introduction of paid parking.
The council told SCN that it was “keen to establish a framework to proactively manage parking and guide parking activities” across the shire.
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Infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh said a comprehensive parking management plan was critical to manage demand and build on existing parking controls.
SCN asked the council if it could confirm the PFAF report that paid parking was being considered. In its response, the council did not specifically mention paid parking but it did not rule it out and Mr Walsh said all options were on the table.
“Everything is under consideration and there is still a lot of discussion and planning to take place,” he said.
“Council is yet to determine the next steps in the development of the parking management plan, so it’s very premature to suggest what is likely to be included.”
PFAF president Graham Reid said he could not speak on behalf of all locals but the group would essentially back a limited rollout of paid parking.
“PFAF would support paid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Peregian Village, but after an initial free parking allowance,” he said.
“There are already timed parking restrictions around the village (including two-hour time limit signs) but enforcement by Noosa Council would need to be made more consistent.”
He did not believe paid parking would be suitable outside of the town centre.
“PFAF cannot see any current need for a more general application of paid parking in Peregian Beach,” he said.
“There is ample parking for beachgoers.
“A more serious issue for residents is illegal camping on roads adjacent to the beach, as it seems to be throughout Noosa Shire.”
Related story: Council to take action at car park
Meanwhile, temporary time-limited parking has been put in place at Peregian Springs Shopping Centre, which is in the midst of an expansion.
Savills manages and leases the shopping centre for the owner Dearmer Investments.
A spokesperson said the measures were necessary “due to the increased demand during construction works”.
They said the restrictions “will remain in place until construction is completed, which is expected late in 2025”.
“There is no current plan to introduce paid parking at the centre,” they said.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
