A makeshift car park in a busy tourist area continues to cause community debate as a residential group steps in to defend a council decision.
In response to a recent outcome on the future of a Noosa greenspace near Hastings Street, which is used as a car park in peak holiday periods, the group is now lobbying to ensure that decision is not overturned.
Noosa Council initially scaled back the use of Noosa Lions Park for the temporary paid car park at a meeting in March.
The Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, which operates the car park, submitted a petition with 2000 signatures to Noosa Council in April to have the decision overturned.
Now the Noosa Main Beach Local Residents Group has submitted a petition to the council asking it to remain firm on its decision to protect the greenspace.
Historically open only during the Easter and Christmas holiday periods, parking at the site was extended to cover all Queensland school and public holidays in 2020.
The March decision advised that car park operations at the site would be reduced to only run across the 2023 Easter and Christmas periods and Easter 2024.
The decision was because use of the park for car parking was contrary to the Department of Resources park designation, the Noosa Plan scheme, the Noosa Transport Strategy and the Noosa Design Principles.
The NMBLRG petition included 40 signatures and was received and referred to the council chief executive officer to determine appropriate action at the June 15 Ordinary Meeting.
It stated: “Creating additional car parking in the local area is inappropriate (irrespective of illegal taking of greenspace) as it puts more pressure on local amenities such as main beach, surf breaks and the national park that are already over-loved.
“This is not good for the environment or local residents.
“There will always be trade, job and congestion issues and this will increase as population increases.
“This is not an acceptable excuse and there is no evidence to suggest that there would be any impact in this regard associated with ceasing car parking in Lions Park.”
The TNLC has run the overflow car park since 2004 and receives 50 per cent of the parking fees, which is put back into local community endeavours and charities.
The petition states “Charitable revenue is not a satisfactory reason to convert greenspace into car parking.”
It does, however, offer a suggestion that money from a current Hastings Street levy could help financially support lost revenue for the club.
“Possibly a small portion of the levy revenue could cover the contributions that were being made by the Lions Association on local projects from car park revenue,” it states.
Noosa Council has indicated it would put the park’s continued use for parking beyond Easter 2024 up for community consultation, however this was not likely to happen until later this year.
“Council is aware of the community importance of this matter and is committed to having a formal engagement process moving forward,” a council statement to Sunshine Coast News said.
The Noosa Main Beach Local Residents Group has been contacted for comment.
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