Revealed: new data showing why motorists cannot find a parking space at Burleigh and Coolangatta

Suburban residents are giving up on driving to the beach with car parks full at the hottest Gold Coast beaches by lunch time.

Suburban residents have given up driving to coastal hotspots according to a city councillor, with new data showing carparks at popular Gold Coast beaches are full by lunch time.

Burleigh and Coolangatta are the worst places to find a park, according to the data captured by new Gold Coast City Council technology.

The highest average parking occupancy rate of 79 per cent was recorded in Burleigh Heads by 1pm, according to the City’s State of the Transport Network report

“This indicates there is a high probability that nearly 80 per cent of all on-street parking in Burleigh Heads on any given day will be occupied,” the report said.

Coolangatta is the next worst with 76 per cent of spaces full, followed by Broadbeach and Palm Beach (both 64 per cent).

The Southport CBD and Surfers Paradise, by comparison, are less popular with only half the spaces being used.

Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster said residents in the geographical heart of the city were finally admitting defeat in trying to get a southern beach car park.

The struggle to find a park at Burleigh at the beachfront. Picture:Richard Gosling.

“As far as the coastal strip is concerned, it’s a source of frequent complaint from my constituency. It’s actually deterring suburban Gold Coasters even attempting to access the amenity of the beach and support local businesses there,” he said.

“Because they find it too difficult to get in there and find a park.”

Asked if residents were leaving earlier before peak morning traffic to visit the beach, Cr Vorster admitted many had given up.

“They are becoming entirely dissuaded from attempting to visit the beach. Which is an absurdity for the Gold Coast. It’s actually undermining the lifestyle promise of living here,” he said.

Cr Hermann Vorster — pushing for parking and transport reforms. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Council Hermann Vorster said he and neighbouring colleague Daphne McDonald, based in Burleigh and Palm Beach, had sparked a council review to get solutions.

Cr Vorster said he was committed to progressing the Christine Avenue corridor study which would ensure an “investment outline” of upgrades on the critical east-west connection road to ensure better access to the beach.

The Goodwin Terrace parking “hot spot”. Picture: Richard Gosling.

High frequency transport involving north and south services including “either light rail or an alternative” was another answer.

Another option is more flexible parking hours. Councillors backed a petition focusing on the Burleigh Esplanade which included a review of line marking and parking times in side streets.

“I think the other thing we need to get much smarter about is how we manage parking along our (entire) coastal strip,” Cr Vorster said.

Palm 18E Neighbourhood Watch team member Lance Edbrooke, who has met with Cr Vorster, supports Mayor Tom Tate’s plans for more car parking at the Burleigh library.

The Mayor in 2019 said he would fast-track a proposal he made at the 2016 election to build a multi-storey carpark in central Burleigh Heads on the site of an existing council carpark to service the light rail.

Mr Edbrooke also believes State laws are needed to enforce new parking arrangements put forward in the council petition.

“There is certainly a lack of suitable parking at Burleigh. The avenues running off the Esplanade for our day time visitors need to be addressed, three-hour parking should be considered there,” he said.

Crowds outside The Nook at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Richard Gosling.

“Currently there are a few who park commercial vehicles 24/7 for months on end on these avenues along with visitors parking over the yellow lines without a thought for those that visit or live there.”

Council transport committee chair Pauline Young said the City was aware of the parking congestion and looking at solutions but people had to consider changing their habits.

“The city is the busiest it’s been. I’ve been here 55 years and I’ve never seen it so busy,” Cr Young said.

“Post-Covid everybody decided to do something (and go out). The City is aware of it, they are looking at all time management options with parking meters.”

But Cr Young said motorists needed “to adapt” and “manage their expectations”.

“There are quite literally not enough car parks on the beachfronts. Tallebudgera has been off the scales. People have to look at getting together and going in one car,” she said.

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