Residents divided over Noosa destination management plan

Closing Hastings St to vehicles, paid parking and bus only travel to the national park during peak hours are some of the bold ideas suggested as tourist mecca struggles with its growing popularity.

A future-proofing plan to help manage Noosa as a visitor destination is dividing residents, with ideas such as making Hastings St for pedestrians only at peak times being considered.

Residents have been asked to give feedback on Noosa Council’s discussion paper which will be used to guide a Destination Management Plan.

The paper outlines a range of scenarios and actions aimed at tackling the significant challenges that come with Noosa’s growing popularity.

Solutions such as introducing timed paid parking on Hastings St and Gympie Tce with permits for locals, as well as one-way traffic flow along Gympie Tce and Noosa Parade during peak time have been suggested.

A ban of takeaway coffee cups on Hastings St, and a booking system for the national park have also been suggested.

In a street poll some residents were in favour of the more major proposals such as making Hastings St and Gympie Tce pedestrian-only zones for peak times.

There was also support for Park Rd access to Noosa National Park being bus-only access at busy periods.

Noosa’s Hastings St becomes a car park during holidays. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Noosa Springs resident Deborah Healy is in favour of a Hastings St closure for vehicles during holidays.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Mrs Healy said.

“For those that are living in the Cove at Christmas time, they can’t get to and from their houses.

“Every person that comes here for a holiday thinks that the parking spots down here in Hastings St are for them.

“At Christmas time and Easter, traffic is queued up to the other side of the junction for cars to get down here.”

Deborah Healy is in favour of a car-ban on Hastings St. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mrs Healy described the free bus proposal as “tried and tested”.

“They have tried the free buses before on weekends,” she added.

“I think a management plan would be great, because what we have is so special, we don’t want it ruined.”

Regular Noosa visitor David Lidster blasted the proposal to remove traffic from Hastings St, stating that it would “kill the atmosphere”.

“It’s like airport shopping at the moment and taking cars out of it will make it even more like that – it’s gross,” he said.

“That is the atmosphere, people want to drive up and down posing, that’s Noosa.

“So taking cars out of it seems like a good idea …. it‘ll be a retail wank zone basically.”

David Lidster did not like the idea of removing cars from Hastings St and having free bus access to the national park. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Lidster also took aim at the free bus proposal for the national parks.

“I can see how people would be annoyed by that, part of the charm surely would be to drive up there, go for a quick surf, and come back,” he added.

“I think they’re getting rid of the best things about the Noosa lifestyle.”

Interstate visitor Rob Joyes believes it is a good idea to reduce the amount of traffic in the area.

“All major cities have pedestrian-only areas in peak times,” Mr Joyes said.

“Improving public transport will take vehicles away from the tourist areas and solve the parking problem.

“The free bus is also a really good initiative.”

Victorian Rob Joyes says something needs to be done to solve Noosa’s challenges. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Melbourne resident said a plan is needed to manage the area.

“Noosa is a pretty popular location, if you don’t have a plan, then it’s going to be a bit ad hoc, and you’re going to run into more problems,” he added.

Feedback from the discussion paper will influence the management of Noosa as a premier visitor destination.

Acting Mayor Frank Wilkie encouraged locals to join the conversation.

“We know what we collectively value – Noosa’s natural assets and relaxed lifestyle, but we want to clarify how we can best enhance these as the destination evolves,” Mr Wilkie said.

The community consultation period is open until midnight on Sunday, October 29.