Noosa holidays: Council considers traffic management at Christmas, Easter

A councillor has urged colleagues to be “bold and courageous” and support her bid to turn Noosa into a one-way destination during peak holiday periods. VOTE IN OUR POLL

A stretch of road connecting some of Noosa’s hot spots could be reduced to one-way under a bold bid to encourage more people to use buses.

Noosa councillor Amelia Lorentson put forward the proposal to trial turning Noosa Drive to Noosa Parade into a one-way street at Easter 2022 to encourage people to use buses or e-bikes and visit Hastings Street.

She said it was time the council changed its approach to address congestion during its busiest holiday periods.

While her motion was defeated councillors agreed to have the matter investigated by traffic experts.

Ms Lorentson said there was no need to “over-complicate” it but chief executive Brett de Chastel warned councillors it would likely cause more traffic delays elsewhere.

Under the plan, Noosa Drive at The Reef Hotel to Noosa Parade at the BP would be one-way with one lane for buses and bikes and the other for cars – subject to support from affected businesses and stakeholders.

“We need to treat this like an event, like Noosa Tri, let’s not over-complicate it and understand it’s a trial and it might even fail,” Ms Lorentson said.

Cr Amelia Lorentson

“What’s the point in having free buses when they don’t have their own lane and they’re stuck behind traffic?

“Let’s have the courage to trial something that has never been done before, a bus priority lane pilot … it’s two weeks that’s good for environment, our residents and our visitors.”

Mr de Chastel said the change would affect other roads in the area.

“This would create major issues in terms of implementation,” he said.

“The strategy says we want to prioritise buses over cars but trying to implement this would be very difficult.”

He also raised safety concerns with buses and bikes sharing a priority lane.

Mayor Clare Stewart commended Ms Lorentson and said she would be supportive of the idea being investigated by traffic engineers.

The motion was put forward at the General Committee meeting during discussions for the Go Noosa free holiday buses for Christmas and Easter.

Councillors voted in favour of continuing the free service at the upcoming holiday seasons.

Subject to TransLink approvals, travel will be free on TransLink buses servicing Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa Parklands, Tewantin, Noosa Civic, Cooroy, Cooran and Pomona.

The Loop Bus will also service a park-and-ride facility at the Weyba Road AFL ground, and The J every 15 minutes until 7pm and half hourly until 10pm. Both sites have ample parking.

Paid parking would also be available at the Lions Park at Noosa Heads, managed by the Tewantin Noosa Lions Club.

Council would continue to encourage residents and visitors to consider alternative transport options including the Noosa Ferry, e-scooter, e-bike and bike providers.

Originally published as Noosa holidays: Council considers traffic management at Christmas, Easter