Tourist spots plan to charge drivers more under controversial new fee
- Replies 0
If you’ve ever tried to navigate crowded streets during peak holiday periods, you’ll know it can feel like searching for a car park in the middle of a major sale—frustrating, slow, and exhausting.
Now, a bold new plan is being considered to tackle the gridlock: charging motorists a fee just to drive through the busiest areas.
Supporters say it could ease congestion, while critics argue it’s an unfair cash grab.
Noosa Heads, perched on Queensland’s stunning Sunshine Coast, has long been a magnet for holidaymakers.
Its golden beaches, trendy cafes, and iconic Hastings Street have made it a must-visit destination for Aussies and international tourists alike.
But with popularity comes a price—literally, if the council’s new proposal goes ahead.
The council says Noosa is 'being loved to death.' The influx of visitors, especially during peak periods, has left roads choked with traffic and parking spaces as rare as a quiet day at the beach.
Locals have grown increasingly frustrated, and the council has been under pressure to find a solution that balances the needs of residents with the town’s booming tourism industry.
Enter the congestion charge. While the details are still being ironed out, the idea is to introduce a fee for drivers entering the most congested areas—think Hastings Street and other beachfront roads—particularly on weekends and during school holidays.
The aim is to discourage unnecessary car trips, free up the roads, and make life a little easier for everyone.
There are a few options on the table. One suggestion is to install toll booths where drivers would stop and pay, while another is to use electronic tags in vehicles, similar to those used on toll roads elsewhere in Australia.
The council is also looking at rolling out more paid parking, with discounted rates for locals, and investing in better public transport to encourage visitors to leave their cars at home.
To make sure residents aren’t unfairly penalised, the council is considering vehicle recognition technology to distinguish between local cars and those just passing through.
This way, locals could be exempt from the new charges or pay a much lower fee.
If given the green light, Noosa’s congestion charge would be the first of its kind in Australia. But it’s not a new idea globally.
Cities like London, Stockholm, and, more recently, New York have all introduced similar schemes with varying degrees of success.
According to Professor Matthew Burke from Griffith University, it’s a logical step for a town like Noosa, where the sheer volume of visitors can bring everything to a standstill.
'[It would] free up that strip and discourage people from heading in and causing congestion to everyone else,' Professor Burke explained.
And let’s face it, who hasn’t spent half their holiday stuck in traffic, wishing they’d just stayed at the pool?
It’s not just traffic that’s causing headaches for the council. Noosa has also become a hotspot for travellers sleeping overnight in car parks, leading to a crackdown on illegal camping.
New rules introduced in July mean anyone caught camping along the Peregian Esplanade or at Victory Park faces a hefty $333 fine.
In just two weeks, 50 fines were handed out—a clear sign the council is serious about keeping the town’s public spaces accessible for everyone.
The council is currently seeking feedback on its Destination Management Plan (DMP), which includes the congestion charge and other measures to manage the town’s popularity. Locals and visitors alike have until September to share their thoughts, so if you’ve got an opinion, now’s the time to speak up!
For our Seniors Discount Club members, this proposal could have a few implications. If you’re a local, you might benefit from less traffic and easier parking.
If you’re a visitor, you may need to factor in extra costs or consider alternative ways to get around—like hopping on a shuttle bus or dusting off the old pushbike!
It’s also worth noting that similar schemes overseas have sometimes included exemptions or discounts for seniors and people with disabilities.
If you think that should be the case here, make sure your voice is heard during the consultation period.
As more Aussie towns grapple with the challenges of overtourism, Noosa’s experiment could set a precedent for other popular destinations.
Will we see congestion charges popping up in Byron Bay, Margaret River, or the Gold Coast? Only time will tell.
Have you battled the traffic in Noosa or another busy tourist town? Do you think congestion charges are a fair way to manage crowds, or just another way to squeeze money out of visitors? Would you support discounts or exemptions for seniors? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more: Aussie council plan delivers $7,000 savings starting July
Now, a bold new plan is being considered to tackle the gridlock: charging motorists a fee just to drive through the busiest areas.
Supporters say it could ease congestion, while critics argue it’s an unfair cash grab.
Noosa Heads, perched on Queensland’s stunning Sunshine Coast, has long been a magnet for holidaymakers.
Its golden beaches, trendy cafes, and iconic Hastings Street have made it a must-visit destination for Aussies and international tourists alike.
A council is considering introducing a congestion charge for motorists during busy periods to address severe traffic and parking issues caused by an influx of visitors. Credit: Facebook
But with popularity comes a price—literally, if the council’s new proposal goes ahead.
The council says Noosa is 'being loved to death.' The influx of visitors, especially during peak periods, has left roads choked with traffic and parking spaces as rare as a quiet day at the beach.
Locals have grown increasingly frustrated, and the council has been under pressure to find a solution that balances the needs of residents with the town’s booming tourism industry.
Enter the congestion charge. While the details are still being ironed out, the idea is to introduce a fee for drivers entering the most congested areas—think Hastings Street and other beachfront roads—particularly on weekends and during school holidays.
The aim is to discourage unnecessary car trips, free up the roads, and make life a little easier for everyone.
There are a few options on the table. One suggestion is to install toll booths where drivers would stop and pay, while another is to use electronic tags in vehicles, similar to those used on toll roads elsewhere in Australia.
The council is also looking at rolling out more paid parking, with discounted rates for locals, and investing in better public transport to encourage visitors to leave their cars at home.
To make sure residents aren’t unfairly penalised, the council is considering vehicle recognition technology to distinguish between local cars and those just passing through.
This way, locals could be exempt from the new charges or pay a much lower fee.
Cities like London, Stockholm, and, more recently, New York have all introduced similar schemes with varying degrees of success.
According to Professor Matthew Burke from Griffith University, it’s a logical step for a town like Noosa, where the sheer volume of visitors can bring everything to a standstill.
'[It would] free up that strip and discourage people from heading in and causing congestion to everyone else,' Professor Burke explained.
And let’s face it, who hasn’t spent half their holiday stuck in traffic, wishing they’d just stayed at the pool?
It’s not just traffic that’s causing headaches for the council. Noosa has also become a hotspot for travellers sleeping overnight in car parks, leading to a crackdown on illegal camping.
In just two weeks, 50 fines were handed out—a clear sign the council is serious about keeping the town’s public spaces accessible for everyone.
The council is currently seeking feedback on its Destination Management Plan (DMP), which includes the congestion charge and other measures to manage the town’s popularity. Locals and visitors alike have until September to share their thoughts, so if you’ve got an opinion, now’s the time to speak up!
For our Seniors Discount Club members, this proposal could have a few implications. If you’re a local, you might benefit from less traffic and easier parking.
If you’re a visitor, you may need to factor in extra costs or consider alternative ways to get around—like hopping on a shuttle bus or dusting off the old pushbike!
It’s also worth noting that similar schemes overseas have sometimes included exemptions or discounts for seniors and people with disabilities.
As more Aussie towns grapple with the challenges of overtourism, Noosa’s experiment could set a precedent for other popular destinations.
Will we see congestion charges popping up in Byron Bay, Margaret River, or the Gold Coast? Only time will tell.
Read more: Aussie council plan delivers $7,000 savings starting July
