FAQs

In mid-2023, Council carried out community and stakeholder consultation on a proposal for timed parking at Dunwich and the One Mile ferry terminal. The purpose of this project has been to help preserve the natural beauty and environmental and cultural values of the Dunwich township.

Following the consultation period, Council reviewed the feedback to help inform the new parking measures for the Dunwich township. The changes have been designed to help eliminate long-term informal parking, reduce public car parking being used for private vehicle storage, encourage greater use of existing car parks, improve foreshore amenity and preserve cultural heritage sites. 

The time limits have been determined by considering these factors and taking into account the level of parking demand and typical visit durations in each area.The time limits have been determined by considering these factors and taking into account the level of parking demand and typical visit durations in each area.

This approach aims to help improve parking to create fairer access to it for both residents and visitors while protecting environmental and cultural values and minimising overcrowding and the misuse of parking facilities.

The changes will see timed parking limits of 12, 24 or 72 hours in the streets surrounding the One Mile ferry terminal off Yabby Street and Dunwich ferry terminal off Junner Street.

Signs indicating ‘No parking’ will also be installed on Mitchell Crescent between Pamphlet Street and Bingle Road.

To view a map indicating where the new time limits will be implemented, please click here.

The signs will be installed in the week beginning Monday 17 June 2024.

Vehicles parked in the designated areas will have until Sunday 7 July to adjust to these changes without risk of being fined.

The new time limits will be enforced from Monday 8 July.

Council will enforce the new parking regulations through regular patrols and monitoring of parking areas. Vehicles exceeding the specified time limits may be fined, and in some cases, they may be removed to ensure compliance with the regulations. It is important for residents and visitors to adhere to the time limits to avoid penalties.

The proposal for timed parking at Dunwich and the One Mile ferry terminal seeks to improve foreshore amenity for the whole community and preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage sites. 

Protection of cultural heritage is a key driver of the proposal which will be designed to eventually eliminate all parking at endangered sites. 

The consultation follows engagement already carried out with Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal Corporation (MMEIC) and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC).   

At the 21 June 2023 General Meeting, Council resolved to commence community consultation on a proposed amendment to Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015, which would introduce two-hour parking limits at Dunwich Cemetery. 

Council undertook community consultation on the proposed amendment to Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015 in July 2023.

It followed community complaints of vehicles being parked long term for commuter purposes in the cemetery parking area. The changes seek to discourage disrespectful behaviour while supporting legitimate use of the facility, which is estimated to contain many unmarked graves.

Council proposed a two-hour parking limit within the historically and culturally significant cemetery to prevent long-term commuter parking.

Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads) 2015 at Schedule 1, Item 4, makes it a prohibited activity to enter or remain in a local government cemetery for any purpose other than:

1. Visiting a grave, memorial, or interment site
2. Attending a funeral
3. Maintaining or repairing a grave, memorial, or interment site in accordance with written authorisation of the Chief Executive Officer.

Council’s local laws undergo a continual process of review to provide the best outcomes for both community and Council.

Parking at Dunwich Cemetery is permitted for a four-hour limit based on community feedback that a two-hour limit would not suffice to accommodate visitors.

If a vehicle exceeds the designated time limits in a timed parking area, it will be subject to enforcement measures by Council. This could include being issued with a parking fine or having the vehicle towed to ensure compliance with the parking regulations. It is important for residents and visitors to adhere to the specified time limits to avoid penalties.

Commuters to the other side of the island are advised to use the bus service. We are aware that the community has expressed concerns about the service and Council will address issues with the provider, Transit Systems. Additionally, Council will consult with the Surf Life Saving Club to address concerns that have been raised by some members.

While the bus transport on North Stradbroke Island is managed by a private operator, Council is aware of the community's concerns regarding this service. We are committed to actively engaging with the service provider, Transit Systems, to address these concerns and advocate for improvements that better serve the needs of our residents and visitors. However, it's important to note that as a privately operated service, any changes to the timetable or increased services are ultimately decided by this provider.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to plan and make alternative arrangements for their vehicles if they anticipate exceeding the designated time limits. This would include parking at their place of residence and using the island bus service.

To view the bus timetable, please click here.

By considering these alternatives, residents can help alleviate parking pressures and ensure a smoother parking experience for all.

Council will undertake future studies to monitor the longer-term impact and effectiveness of the timed parking arrangements, including parking usage patterns, community feedback and emerging issues or challenges. The insights gained from these evaluations will help inform future decisions and adjustments to the parking system.

While Council will continue to actively monitor parking across Dunwich and consultation on this project has concluded, residents can provide Council with comments on the new parking measures via the project page. Your comments will be reviewed by Council and may inform future changes.

Council is closely monitoring the parking arrangements throughout Dunwich with consideration for disability parking permit holders. We encourage those who hold a disability permit to provide feedback as this will inform future decision making and allow us to improve accessibility in Dunwich.

Council is proposing to install bollards along the northern side of Yabby Street to protect the island’s bat colony. The native animals are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which prohibits interference with a bat colony.

Council is improving safety at the parking and bus stop areas. Following a recent safety review, the Dunwich to Point Lookout route 880 bus service required changes to improve the safety of everyone using the One Mile ferry terminal and bus stop. To provide a larger turning circle Council removed 22 car park spaces for safer bus access. The improvements allow better visibility and more effective bus manoeuvrability. 

 The changes were needed because:

 • currently, buses need to perform a three-point turn, which includes reversing

• given the restricted rear vision, reversing a bus in a high-activity area is a high-risk movement

• removal of the parking in the turn-around area avoids the need for buses to reverse when turning around.

Ten existing car park spaces remain within the car park in addition to one disability, one emergency services, one taxi and one 10-minute loading space. Seven boat trailer spaces have also remained.

 Yes, the existing disability car park space remains near the ferry terminal entrance.

Yes, the existing emergency services car park space near the ferry terminal entrance remains.