Council responds to Gazette’s concerns regarding Nambour CBD parking
Sunshine Coast Council has answered criticism from the Sunshine Valley Gazette regarding its draft designs for Nambour CBD. The Sunshine Valley Gazette criticised the Nambour (Namba) Place Plan for not placing enough emphasis on parking.
The Gazette said convenient street parking should be the main priority if Council wanted to attract shoppers into town and encourage the type of small business that make a town like Nambour thrive. “To encourage character-filled, independent small businesses that make traditional towns like Nambour inviting and charming, Council must make parking a priority,” Editor Cameron Outridge said.
But a Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said the Plan already drew on years of feedback and previous work and that the views of businesspeople had been taken into consideration. The spokesperson said the Plan aimed to inform the community of the draft concept design and seek their feedback in order for Council and the community to develop a shared outcome.
The study area is divided into 5 precincts. See more here
Following community feedback this month (September 2023), the draft plan will be revised and adjusted to determine the final design.
“Key stakeholders, businesses, residents, Frist Nations and community groups will then have an opportunity to provide further feedback before the plan is confirmed,” Council said.
“The Place Plan builds on the various planning documents that have been developed over the past 10 years. These include the Nambour Activation Plan, and the Nambour Economic Transition Strategy produced by Reimagine Nambour.
“During the early planning phase, Council invited feedback from representative residents, community groups, businesses, the local First Nations community and key stakeholders to inform the development of the Draft Nambour (Namba) Place Plan.
“Council’s aim is to ensure all previous engagement and work achieved is acknowledged and honoured in this next phase of engagement while also seeking input from new families and people moving to Nambour.
“This phase of engagement has re-introduced the project, and the draft plans, to allow the broader community to shape their town centre.
“For a list of past engagement please visit Council’s Have Your Say website and select the ‘Previous Engagement’ tab: https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/.../engagement.”
ON PARKING
Regarding parking, specifically, Council said it had received feedback from community stakeholders that some removal of on-street car parks would go a long way to improve the look, feel and function of the main streets and provided economic benefits to traders.
“The draft plan also provides better pathway connections to the existing off street parking lots in the centre of town, making them more accessible and convenient to use.
“Due to the project being in the early planning stage, parking management will be considered in the next round of community engagement as the design is refined. This is a great opportunity for our community to share their feedback and concerns around parking with the project team and discuss alternative options.
“Council is also working with Queensland Government through the Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding the future of the centre’s traffic network and getting the balance right between promoting walkability and pedestrian safety along the main street while still maintaining traffic flow.”
In any case, have your say on the Draft Nambour (Namba) Place Plan at https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/.../engagement.