New traffic and parking conditions introduced at Birubi Headland for the Easter long weekend and April school holiday will become permanent in September.
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The changes, aimed at improving traffic flow and congestion during peak tourism times, will remain in place until May 4, after which Port Stephens Council will work on redesigning and formalising changes to the Birubi Beach car parks in time for the September school holiday period.
“The trialled changes to parking and access to Birubi Headland over the Easter long weekend improved traffic flow, even with a large increase in vehicles compared to last year,” a council spokesman said.
“We’re now looking to formalise parking arrangements at the bottom car park to ensure the traffic flows better, which will be done in time for the next peak during the September school holidays.
“We want to thank everyone for their input and patience while we work to improve traffic flows.”
The changes have included signs being installed along James Paterson Street, the road leading up to the headland and Birubi Beach, prohibiting vehicles from stopping between 9am and 3pm.
The council spokesman said this move had made James Paterson Street residents “much happier” and seen visitors spend less time in traffic.
Restrictions have been placed on coaches from parking on the headland and in the car parks.
During the April school holiday then from September, large coaches will be required to drop passengers off in the top car park, leave the headland and return to pick them up.
They cannot access the lower car park where tourism operators are based.
Tourism operators that are based in the bottom Birubi car park have been advised to inform inbound tour companies that it is off limits to large coaches.
A 15 minute limit is in place for all coaches on the top car park.
Small buses, however, may use the bottom car park and remain parked there while passengers attend tours.
In a poll conducted by the Examiner, 45.7 per cent of respondents said more needs to be done about traffic and parking conditions at the headland.
“Bottom line is there is insufficient parking,” Tammy Dyson said in response to the Examiner’s original story published in March about the changed traffic conditions.
“Even on a normal weekend the traffic [is] out of control and parking [is] inadequate.”
The council is set to redesign the two Birubi car parks during winter.
Port Stephens Local Traffic Committee has endorsed the installation of further ‘no stopping’ signs in the top and bottom car parks to improve traffic flow and reduce wait times.
The committee has also approved no stopping signs along Gan Gan Road, at the intersection of James Patterson Street.
The changes will be made in time for the September school holidays.
Traffic conditions in place for April school holiday
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
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