Temporary changes are on the way to a car park in the heart of a tourist hub.
The Main Beach Reserve car park next to Noosa Surf Club will be converted into a two-lane drop-off zone during the busiest time of the year.
Noosa Council acting director of infrastructure services Shaun Walsh said it would help ease congestion and improve safety and visitor experience from December 20 to January 6.
“More than 14,000 vehicles a day enter the Hastings Street precinct during peak holiday periods, which creates major problems with traffic congestion in this area,” he said.
“Building on lessons learned from last year’s trial, we’ve made some changes aimed at improving traffic flow in the Hastings Street precinct and providing beachgoers with the ability to drop off their gear during the busy period.
“From Friday, the Main Beach Reserve car park will be strictly a drop-off zone.
“Traffic marshals will operate in the drop-off zone between 6.30am and 5.30pm to assist motorists and visitors coming in and out of this area.”
The drop-off zone will have a storage area for bicycles and other items.
Council adopted measures in August to keep traffic moving in the holiday hotspot, after a trial last Christmas, when the car park was turned into a family-friendly gathering place with marquees, tables and chairs, dubbed the Main Beach People’s Park.
There will be additional motorcycle and scooter parking, extra accessible parking and a relocated loading zone on Noosa Drive, between the Noosa Parade and Hastings Street roundabouts.
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Reserved spaces will also be available for lifeguards, while additional portable toilets will be located in the car park at Main Beach from 7am to 7pm.
Overflow carparking will be available at the Noosa Heads Bowls Club, and the traditional Lions Car Park will operate from Saturday, December 14.
There will be a full closure of the area on New Year’s Eve to provide access for Queensland Police and emergency services.
In addition to the temporary traffic measures, council’s free Go Noosa holiday buses will operate until January 27.
More bus stops have been added to the free bus loop route and free park-and-ride services at the AFL grounds will also operate from December 14 until January 27.
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