Parking Management Plan

Why Parking Matters

As Noosa grows, so does the pressure on parking in our village centres, beaches, schools, and hinterland towns. Managing parking well isn’t just about finding a space. It’s about:

  • Supporting local businesses
  • Protecting our lifestyle and environment
  • Managing demand for limited space

That’s why Council is developing a new Parking Management Plan; a coordinated, data-driven approach to make sure parking continues to work for everyone.

The Challenges We Face

Parking is part of daily life for residents, visitors, workers, and businesses. But limited space and growing demand create challenges such as:

  • Cars staying too long and limiting turnover
  • Competing needs (e.g. dining vs. deliveries, drop-offs vs. long-stay)
  • Seasonal pressure during holidays and weekends

We need a smarter way to manage this space — one that is fair, safe, accessible, and sustainable.

What the Plan Will Do

The Parking Management Plan will help Council:

  • Make better use of parking across the Shire
  • Balance the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors
  • Support walking, cycling, and public transport
  • Plan for the future (electric vehicles, shared mobility)
  • Manage parking fairly and consistently

What’s Included

The Plan is made up of three key parts:

  1. Parking Management Framework - A set of rules and processes to guide decision-making across the Shire.
  2. Local Area Plans (LAPs) - Detailed parking strategies for Noosaville, Noosa Junction, and Noosa Heads.
  3. Tools and Actions - Practical measures to improve how parking is managed day to day and into the future.

How the Framework Works

The framework gives Council a structured way to:

  1. Understand the local context and parking pressures
  2. Identify issues and competing uses of space
  3. Apply suitable tools (time limits, permits, signage, or pricing)
  4. Monitor and adjust over time

This framework also ensures consistency in how Council responds to customer requests about parking.

Local Area Plans

The Framework applies Shire-wide, but the Local Area Plans zoom in on three high-demand centres:

Noosaville

  • River foreshore and weekend demand
  • Balancing resident and business needs
  • Improving turnover near cafés and parks

Noosa Junction

  • Supporting local businesses and high street activity
  • Managing commuter and long-stay parking
  • Improving access to off-street lots and shops

Noosa Heads

  • Peak demand at beaches and Hastings Street
  • Park-and-ride and sustainable transport options
  • Sensitive planning around residential zones and the National Park

Kerbside Space: More Than Just Parking

Kerbside space (the area between the road and footpath) is one of Council’s most in-demand public assets. It supports:

  1. People First – Walking, cycling, mobility access, bike racks
  2. Place and Amenity – Deliveries, ride-share zones, outdoor dining, drop-offs
  3. Parking – Short-stay, long-stay, accessible, resident, visitor, boat trailer, caravan

By thinking broadly about kerbside uses, Council can make clearer, fairer decisions about sharing this limited space.

How Parking Management Evolves

As demand grows, parking management typically progresses through five stages:

  1. Unregulated – No signs, no time limits
  2. Regulated – Line-marked bays, clear signage
  3. Time-Restricted – 1P/2P zones to encourage turnover
  4. Paid Parking – Introduced in high-demand areas
  5. Demand-Based Pricing – Prices adjusted to ensure spaces are always available (based on the “85% occupancy rule”)

This staged approach helps reduce congestion, improve access, and support vibrant, walkable centres.

Guiding Principles

The Plan is based on four principles:

  1. Equitable – Fair access for all
  2. Sustainable – Support long-term and active transport goals
  3. Adaptable – Respond to changing needs and seasons
  4. Effective – Transparent, consistent, and financially responsible

Objectives

To put these principles into practice, the Plan aims to:

  • Use the right mix of tools for different areas and times
  • Support business viability and access
  • Direct funds and resources where they matter most
  • Include diverse community needs in decision-making
  • Balance parking with streetscape quality and active travel

The Journey So Far

Stage 1 – Understanding Conditions

  • Collecting data on supply, demand, regulations, and community feedback

Stage 2 – Identifying Issues & Opportunities

  • Analysing problems by location and user group
  • Testing solutions through the Framework and LAPs

What the Plan Will Deliver

  • Fairer and more transparent parking management
  • Less time spent circling, more time enjoying Noosa
  • Better balance between people, place, and vehicles
  • Support for sustainable transport choices
  • Clearer process for handling community requests
  • Stronger protection for town and village centres

Stay Informed

The Parking Management Plan is about more than just finding a spot. It’s about making smarter choices for our limited space to support Noosa’s lifestyle, economy, and environment now and into the future.

See our fact sheets for further information:

 

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