‘Desperate need’: Business owner warns of parking strain

A Nambour business owner has warned that selling the Howard Street/Sydney Street car park would worsen existing parking pressures and risk driving customers away from the town centre.

Director of Suncoast Mortgages Steven Nicholls,  said the loss of the centrally located car park would have flow-on effects for both businesses and workers.

“Nambour is in desperate need of parking, and selling the car park would only create more reason for people to travel to larger centres to complete their errands due to the lack of available parking locally,” Mr Nicholls said.

The proposed sale of the council-owned site has sparked strong community opposition, with concerns focused on access to shops, health services and the long-term viability of the CBD.

Mr Nicholls said the car park was heavily relied upon not just by customers, but by employees working in nearby businesses.

“Many people park there and walk to work because there is no other suitable parking available nearby.”

He said removing the car park would create immediate challenges for local operators.

“If this car park were taken away, it would create a major issue for both employees and employers, who would then need to find alternative ways to accommodate parking,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Council’s proposal to sell the site was deferred for eight weeks, a fortnight ago, following widespread community backlash. A petition opposing the ale raised over 1000 signatures in days.

Steven Nicholls “If this car park were taken away, it would create a major issue for both employees and employers.”