A holiday parking program that generated $250,000 for community causes has been scrapped following a council decision, prompting disappointment from the local Lions Club.
Noosa Council upheld its decision to remove seasonal overflow parking at Noosa Heads Lions Park at Thursday’s ordinary meeting.
During peak holiday seasons, the site has provided additional parking for visitors to Noosa Heads and Hastings Street, accommodating up to 250 vehicles.
The Tewantin Noosa Lions Club (TNLC) president Ross Barker said the club was “very disappointed” by council’s decision.
“Over the last six years, Lions Parking has generated $250,000 with all monies reinvested into the local community,” Mr Barker said.
The funds have supported projects including a modified vehicle for a child with disabilities, a patient transport buggy for Noosa Hospital, beach accessibility initiatives, local charities, Christmas hampers for disadvantaged families and youth opportunities.
Mr Barker said the overflow parking helped ease congestion and supported businesses during the busiest holiday periods.
“The Hastings Street precinct faces chronic parking shortages, particularly during Christmas school holidays,” he said.
“Car parking at Noosa Heads Lions Park provides a valuable complementary strategy to other Go Noosa program options
“Without Lions Parking, drivers circle in frustration, congestion worsens, and businesses lose trade.”
Mr Barker said TNLC appreciated community concern that parks should only be used as green space for recreation purposes.
“In fact, our parking operations have a small footprint and occur only once each year,” he said.
“Parking runs for just 22 days at Christmas, barely six per cent of the year.
“Importantly recreation amenities in the park, BBQs, shelter sheds, playgrounds, river access and toilets remain fully accessible to the public.”
Mayor Frank Wilkie defended council’s decision in the meeting, with support from Cr Tom Wegener, Cr Brian Stockwell and Cr Karen Finzel, arguing the parking increased congestion and that alternative transport options were available.
“We have ample evidence the network performs without the Lions Park parking; we have the one-way loop bus, which is the viable alternative, which recorded about 74,500 passenger trips alone – the equivalent of 52,000 private trips,” Cr Wilkie said.
“The claim that there is no viable alternative is false.”
Cr Amelia Lorentson argued council should reconsider the decision, claiming the community had asked for a short-term solution during the holiday period.
“Twenty-one days is what our business community and residents are asking from us; 344 days is what we are giving back to the green space unchanged,” she said.
Cr Lorentson said the decision could impact local businesses, referencing concerns raised by Tewantin traders about the Doonella Bridge project.
“We had 60-plus business owners here in tears about the impact of the bridge on their business,” she said.
“I really feel the overriding community benefit directly relates to having an economy that is thriving.”
Cr Jessica Phillips also supported retaining the overflow parking option.
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Concerned resident Ian Glew said temporary parking during peak periods provided a practical solution for visitors, workers and locals.
“Council have no firm alternative to opening the park, many of the solutions have been raised and talked about for the 14 years I have been involved in parking cars in Noosa Heads Lions Park, and few, if any, have come to fruition,” he said.
“The park on busy days like the Christmas will turn over cars approximately two to three times in a day – meaning 300 to 500 cars in the park.
“A statement that this will not increase the congestion if the park is not open for parking is false.”
Mr Glew also raised concerns about transport modelling following recent issues around the Doonella Bridge upgrade.
“I most certainly hope the same type of modelling that has been spoken about for the car parking have a more positive outcome to the one used for the Doonella bridge upgrade,” he said.
“Beckman’s Road impact on those first few days was dreadful.”
