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Traffic and parking issues addressed
30 August 2008
The rapid growth and popularity of the University has prompted us to take a long, hard and detailed look at traffic and parking issues, through the analyses of independent consultants. They have prepared an extensive report, where charges for parking and multi-storey car parks are seen as part of the needed response as early as 2009.
The problem with that aspect of the Report is that the University does not possess the resources to build a multi-storey car park at nearly $20,000 per car space, nor on the information we have, do students have the disposable income to pay for daily parking.
The short-term solutions have to be addressed in a more cautious way, recognising that parking is a perennial problem for just about every university, and USC is much more generous than most. Whilst we acknowledge that in this dispersed region many will want to use their cars, we also feel that there are unreasonable expectations by some, who are critical if they cannot park directly next to the building they want to access. To walk, say up to 400 metres, is not an unreasonable expectation, if we also want to avoid turning the currently beautiful campus into a parking lot.
Let’s first just look at what has happened, or is about to happen to help traffic flow and parking. The interchange connection at Dixon-Claymore has already helped traffic flow. A new major bus interchange is just about to be constructed and in size will be second only to the Sunshine Plaza. There will be improved frequency of services. There will be a speedier bus movement with a new link with Scholars Drive. We have created access to a new temporary car park on the eastern campus ring road, in addition to the overflow possibilities at the Uni Club and Innovation Centre. There are new car parks at the Health and Sports Tower for staff and students. There are plans to remove Science demountables to create another car park in their place next year. There are car-parking possibilities outlined in full on the Uni portal website.
This is an extensive list of initiatives all of which are within our budget parameters, and as long as there is a patient and sensible approach to seeking places, we can, for the benefit of students, avoid car parking charges for some time to come. But moderating expectations may mean that occasionally, those walks of up to 400 metres may be essential.
We will continue to monitor closely the impact of these initiatives and our preeminent concern will be avoiding further financial impacts on students, most of whom we know can ill-afford car parking fees.
If we can maintain the balances struck in our campus master plan, we will be able to retain much of our wildlife sanctuary within our environmentally sensitive campus, but at the same time provide for a range of transport options, and with subsidised public transport and cycling options likely to be an increasingly strong focus into the future.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.