The first customers have rolled into Mooloolaba’s new multi-storey carpark – and despite controversy over whether it should be paid or not, visitors were undeterred.
The big bonus for the holiday season is that parking at the facility will be free until midnight on Sunday, January 17, as an introductory offer, although time limits will apply. From January 18, it will cost $2.50 per hour (capped at $12.50 per day).
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson officially opened the new ParknGo Mooloolaba Central carpark.
The eight-storey facility, on the corner of First Avenue and Smith Street, features 700 public parking spaces, including 13 disabled parking spaces, 2 electric vehicle charging bays, plus 54 motorcycle spaces and 50 bicycle spaces.
Mayor Jamieson said he had no doubt ParknGo Mooloolaba Central would provide a significant benefit for the local community and businesses and visitors to Mooloolaba for decades to come.
“At a total cost of $23.5 million, which includes both the multi-deck carpark facility and improvements to surrounding infrastructure and roadworks, this has been a significant project which is destined to contribute to the revitalisation of Mooloolaba,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“At the same time, the parking stations will enable Mooloolaba to better cater for the increasing number of visitors to this part of our Sunshine Coast from both within and beyond our region,” he said.
“Delivering this facility fulfils an important component of the Placemaking Mooloolaba master plan, where the need for more car parking was identified as a high priority by residents, visitors and traders alike.
“At a time when our local economy – particularly the construction sector – needed surety to withstand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had some 800 workers through the site.
“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.”
Locally owned and operated business, Evans Built, constructed the new car park.
Director Sean Evans said Evans Built was proud to have worked with council in delivering the project.
On-street parking in the central Mooloolaba precinct will reduce to two hours or less from January 18, 2021. Signage will be in place to advise motorists of the time limits.
Sunshine Coast Council’s ParknGo Mooloolaba Central ambassadors, dressed in blue ParknGo shirts, will be on site to assist car park users.
For more information, visit www.parkngo.com.au.
ParknGo Mooloolaba Central Fast Facts:
- 700 public car parking spaces
- Eight-storey building
- Two entry and exit points from Smith Street, one entry point from Brisbane Road and pedestrian access via First Avenue
- Two electric vehicle charging stations
- 100 Kw solar panels
- Bicycle parking area.
Design features:
- The carpark’s design has drawn inspiration from the natural environment and incorporated local references of the Mooloolaba area.
- The play of light and shadow on the building, as well as subtle colour changes, echo the flow and movement of water in the nearby rivers and ocean.
- Vertical elements in the surrounding screen hint at mooring posts for boats. Water references form a key element of the overall design connecting the built structure to Mooloolaba’s sense of place and coastal character.
