THE final stage of the Cairns North parking project to add 350 spaces in the busy school and hospital precinct, was given the green light at this morning's Council meeting.
Ninety additional spaces will be built in Lake Street, between Grove and McKenzie streets, before the end of September. The parks will be created in a new centre median and by formalising existing verge parking.
Beginning in November 2017, the CBD North project aims to boost parking for hospital visitors, those attending day clinics and specialist appointments, businesses and staff.
As part of the project, parking time limits have been adjusted to create a better mix of short, medium and long-stay options.
Mayor Bob Manning said the project has made it much easier for all users to find parking that meets their needs.
"It's no longer a struggle to find car parks around the private and public hospitals," Cr Manning said. "There's also been a flow-on effect of alleviating pressure around the Cairns State High School and Munro Martin Parklands.
"Changing parking time limits from 2 hours to 4 hours in this area has also taken some of the stress out of hospital visits. We know appointments often take longer than expected so giving people extra time has been crucial."
As well as additional parking spaces, the project has upgraded kerb and channel, footpaths and water infrastructure.
Where the new parks are:
- Lake St (Upward to Grove) 69
- Kerwin St (Esplanade to Lake) 20
- Minnie St (Sheridan to Abbott) 79
- Minnie St (Sheridan to McLeod) 23
- Charles St (Lake to Sheridan) 33 underway
- Lake St (Grove to McKenzie) 90 starting May
