Email to Green Heart Fair (Traffic Issues)

As discussed today at Green Heart, here are some ideas for mitigating the traffic and parking issues around VP-B.

1.  Review the types of events considered for VP-B.  I guess the over-arching issue to consider is that VP-B is not really a good venue for large events.  It is in an inner-city area with already congested local streets and many large institutions such as the RBWH, UQ, QUT, large schools and RNA showgrounds feeding this congestion.  There also seems to be some tension between the parking needs of the commercial ventures in the park and ordinary citizens wanting to enjoy the park, whether it be for an event or not.

2.  Extend existing strategies.   Event Day parking has been in place round Suncorp Stadium since 2018.  The Lang Park Traffic Area is defined and signed and for 2 hours before and after events, a 15-minute parking limit is in place.  Residents who have parking permits are exempt. This would certainly relieve the congestion in local streets and improve the livability for residents.  Note: this will only work, of course, if strategies like 3 and 4 are in place.

3. Employ strategies used in other places in Brisbane.   Free bus travel to events at venues such as Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba is already a well-established service in Brisbane.  This system reduces congestion caused by people using private vehicles to access venues.  This type of service would also help patrons with the cost of travel to and from the Park.

4. Employ strategies used in other places.  Free carparking could be made available in other nearby suburbs.  Again, a free shuttle could run from there to various entrances of the Park during events.  This strategies works well for access to Hastings Street at Noosa during peak times such as Christmas holidays.

5. Use existing local resources.   There are existing parking stations at the Oral Health Centre and at QUT which are under-utilised at weekends.  BCC has used the QUT Sports Stadium for parking for the Green Heart Fair for the last 2 years.  It should become part of the norm for these to be open to the public at off-peak times.  Parking stations at the RNA in O’Connell Terrace could also be employed.  

6. Consider the environment in any new strategies.   The draft Master Plan posits a 3-story carpark, near the Bistro, with a footprint almost the size of a soccer field - the mind boggles at how much concrete would be involved in this structure. This is an outrageous idea in a time where Climate Change is finally being considered seriously.  Keeping the Park at least carbon-neutral, even better a carbon sink, should the aim.