Community impact of proposed sale of Howard Street carpark

To the Chief Executive Officer, Sunshine Coast Council / Cr D. Law, Division 10

We, the undersigned, call on Sunshine Coast Council to:

• Undertake a formal accessibility impact assessment before proceeding with the sale or redevelopment of the Howard Street public car park in Nambour;
• Ensure equivalent or improved accessible parking is provided for the broader Nambour community as part of any redevelopment;
• Assess the environmental impact of redevelopment on the site's mature trees and the wildlife they support;
• Consider the impact on local businesses that rely on this car park for customer access; and
• Commit to genuine community consultation on the loss of this public asset before any decision takes effect.

The Howard Street car park is one of the only centrally located public parking areas in Nambour. For people with disability, chronic health conditions, or reduced mobility, it plays a critical role in enabling access to local services in town. Local businesses in the area also rely on it for customer access, and its loss is likely to impact foot traffic and viability for small businesses nearby. The site also contains mature trees providing habitat for local wildlife — ecological values that warrant proper assessment.

Council's own meeting report confirms no formal community consultation has been undertaken and identifies "no foreseen risks" — with no mention of accessibility, parking, business, or environmental impacts.

We support affordable housing. These goals are not in conflict — but they require deliberate planning. We ask Council to ensure that action on one equity issue does not inadvertently create new barriers for the community.