New parking and traffic conditions have been introduced at the Birubi Headland in a bid to ease congestion typically experienced during peak tourism times like Easter and school holidays.
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The changes are Port Stephens Council’s response to the traffic chaos experienced during peak holiday times, most recently on Australia Day this year.
“The objective is to improve traffic flow for visitors to this beautiful part of our region and get as many people up there as possible,” a Port Stephens Council spokeswoman said.
“It is also to improve safety for pedestrians, residents and road users at this busy time.
“We want to make the headland accessible for everyone. No one wants to be stuck in traffic on their long weekend.”
The changes will be trialled across the four-day Easter weekend and during the remaining school holidays for 2018. They will not be in effect during off-peak periods.
Also read: Interchange solution for Birubi congestion
Vehicles will no longer be able to stop along James Paterson Street, the road leading up to the headland and Birubi Beach.
Alternative parking options will be clearly signposted. Traffic users will be required to follow the signs or face a parking infringement.
The council has talked with residents and businesses near James Paterson Drive in the past several weeks alerting them to the changes.
Tourism operators that are based in the bottom Birubi car park have also been advised to fully inform inbound tour companies that it is off limits to large coaches.
Large coaches are required to drop off in the top car park, leave the headland and return to pick up. A 15 minute limit is in place for all coaches on the top car park.
Small buses may use the bottom car park and remain parked there while patrons attend tours. There is no parking time limit for small buses in bottom car park.
Council rangers will be patrolling the car parks more frequently during the weekend to ensure the traffic changes are being complied with.
Following the long weekend, the council will conduct a debrief to review the trial and make any improvements in preparation for the next peak period.
James Paterson Street eastern side (odd numbers)
- No Parking - 9am to 3pm
James Paterson Street western side (even numbers)
- No change or restrictions to normal parking arrangements
Birubi Headland
- Limited parking on Birubi Headland from 6am to 3pm
- Parking in bays only
- Please note there might be need to park in alternative locations
- No camping on Birubi Headland from 3pm to 6am
Bus and coaches
- Large coaches - the bottom car park is off limits. Instead large coaches are required to drop off, leave the headland and return to pick up. A 15 minute limit is in place for all coaches on the top car park
- Small buses – may use the bottom car park and remain parked there whilst patrons attend the tour. No 15 minute limit for small buses in bottom car park
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
