Big idea to keep down congestion on Coast
For a city built on big ideas, we sure can be small-minded. Just look at the latest case of road rage … caused by a parked car. The vehicle in question was blocking neither driveway nor footpath, and clearly located between the demarcated lines on a bustling Broadbeach street.
The issue? This automobile was part of a car-sharing trial running across the city, with the City of Gold Coast recently announcing the start of a 12-month car share scheme with Hertz, operating as Flexicar.
The membership-based service already operates in all capital cities and council said the trial would help determine whether carshare access could reduce demand for parking and provide more sustainable modes of transport compared to traditional privately owned vehicles.
Data from the trial would be used to ‘inform whether a car share policy should be developed for the Gold Coast’.
Well, here’s hoping they don’t look at the data below.
As one complainant stated on social media: “Why has a private company been able to secure public space? Seems pretty strange to me.”
Said another: “Don’t see the logic in putting cars in locations of ‘high activity central areas’, parking for everyone else is hard and this reduces available locations.”
Reading the latter quote almost made my head explode.
How can anyone not see the logic? Providing one shared car in one parking space could provide all the car usage necessary for the many residents and tourists residing nearby, negating the need for a second car, a rental car, or any permanent car at all.
And without those extra cars, there is reduced demand for spaces to park them.
If every car park is precious, let’s make each one work to its max capacity.
Now, I realise that change is difficult (see: light rail resistance), but our traffic and transport problems need more than a single silver bullet.
We need to throw everything that we have at this issue before we’re permanently locked in to Gold Coast gridlock.
Just last week, Gold Coast council CEO Tim Baker said one thing that kept him awake at night was wondering how the Gold Coast would cope with a population surge equal to the size of Hobart by 2032.
And he had a keen understanding of just how urgently these solutions were needed.
“If you live in Pimpama and you work at The Star (Gold Coast in Broadbeach), five to six years ago that was a 45 minute commute. That’s an hour and twenty minutes now,” he said. “If there’s a crash along the way, it’s a two-hour commute.
“(The percentage) of trips in this city taken by car is one of the highest in the country. It’s just not sustainable any more.
“That doesn’t mean I want everyone to lose their car. What I mean is we need to invest in public transport and provide an integrated public transport solution.”
Speaking on the Flexicar pilot specifically, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the trial was another transport option in the mix for Gold Coasters and visitors.
The trial currently included a fleet of 20 cars, featuring small hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and vans, all 2023 models with 5-star ANCAP safety ratings. Dedicated Flexicar parks, with clear signage, were situated in key high-activity locations including Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Varsity Lakes, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta.
“Reducing the number of privately owned vehicles on the road on any given day while also reducing the demand for car parks are key outcomes of our Transport Strategy,” he said. “Initially, it will be concentrated in our high activity areas. But in a year, we will look at the data and hopefully look to expand it.”
And while some residents might be raging against these machines, others, thankfully, can see the sense.
“This is the answer. We’re moving to Broadbeach at some point and when we do, will reduce from two cars to one. I love knowing this will (hopefully) be there when needed,” said one.
“Not everyone needs to own a car but sometimes people need access to a car so this provides that short-term access without the huge costs. Less cars owned individually, less cars on the road, less cars parked on the street, probably MORE parking available for others.”
And lastly: “The concept is sound and overall is a win for the council and tourists, residents, ratepayers and commuters using the roads and parking. Maybe not immediately, but as usage grows it will be.”
That’s exactly the point. Every shared transport option, no matter how small, adds up to the overall solution.
You just have to see the big picture.
“Just last week, Gold Coast council CEO Tim Baker said one thing that kept him awake at night was wondering how the Gold Coast would cope with a population surge equal to the size of Hobart by 2032.