Noosa, known for its picturesque beaches and natural beauty, experiences a significant influx of tourists during weekends and peak times, leading to a shortage of parking spaces and congestion on the roads, especially around the main shopping area of Hastings Street. To combat this issue, the local council has been running free shuttle buses to transport visitors to the beach from larger parking lots, but these buses also get stuck in traffic jams they are meant to alleviate.
Deputy Mayor Brian Stockwell of the Noosa Shire Council has expressed the urgency of addressing the congestion problem, citing its negative impact on residents' quality of life and mental health. The proposal for a congestion charge for tourists, utilizing vehicle recognition technology, is seen as a potential solution to encourage more people to utilize public transport or alternative modes of travel to reduce traffic congestion.
The congestion charge, proposed to apply during certain periods and exempting local residents, aims to fund sustainable transportation options and potentially eliminate a current $30 annual transport levy from residents' council rates. While initially met with resistance in 2017, the idea of a congestion tax is being reconsidered to mitigate the traffic challenges faced by Noosa and enhance the overall experience for both residents and visitors.