FAQs

Public space improvements will focus on Beach Street and Hylands Corner.

Part of the existing Beach Street carpark will be transformed into an improved public space, including:

• a new turfed area
• a new fenced playground
• landscaping and beautification works
• additional public space improvements.

Council is developing a broader landscape plan for the Beach Street public space, which is expected to be finalised and shared with the community in September 2026.

A revised scope of works for Hylands Corner will also include minor landscaping, seating and pedestrian safety improvements.

The long-term goal is to deliver the vision for Merimbula as a vibrant seaside destination, as outlined in Council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040.

This vision focuses on:

• Creating a more people-focused town centre
• Improving public open space and how it is used
• Strengthening connections to the lake and foreshore
• Supporting local businesses and economic activity
• Encouraging a more active, social and welcoming CBD.

The proposed traffic and public space changes are designed to support this broader vision by helping rebalance the town centre to better support people, place and activity.

Community input has played an important role in shaping this project.

 Consultation was undertaken as part of:

• Merimbula CBD Landscape Masterplan (2015)(PDF, 3MB)
• Merimbula Transport Study (adopted 2023)
• Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040(PDF, 13MB)

This included engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders to understand how the town centre is used and what improvements are needed.

Further community consultation on the proposed Merimbula CBD traffic and public space changes was undertaken from 23 April to 21 May 2026.

Council considered the feedback received at its meeting on 22 June 2026 and endorsed a revised traffic configuration, Beach Street improvements and a revised scope of works for Hylands Corner.

Further community feedback will be sought on the implemented traffic and parking changes from December 2026 to January 2027. This feedback, along with traffic monitoring data, will inform Council's consideration of the changes in March 2027.

The Merimbula Transport Study identified several traffic challenges in the Merimbula CBD, particularly during peak holiday periods:

• Traffic congestion at key intersections
• Complex turning movements that create conflict points
• Limited pedestrian priority and crossing safety
• Vehicle speeds higher than desired in a town centre environment
• Pressure on parking turnover during busy periods
• Gaps in safe and connected walking and cycling routes

The CBD currently functions primarily as a vehicle network rather than a balanced town centre space. The proposed changes aim to better balance the needs of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, businesses and visitors.

The proposed traffic, parking and public spaces changes are based on recommendations from the Merimbula Transport Study, adopted by Council in 2023, and support the long-term vision for Merimbula as a vibrant seaside destination.

The study identified that the CBD is currently vehicle dominated and experiences congestion, safety concerns and limited pedestrian priority, particularly during peak holiday periods.

The project aims to:

• Improve public space and how it is used and experienced 
• Support local businesses and activity
• Enhance pedestrian movement and safety
• Create a more welcoming and people-focused town centre.

No.

The traffic, parking and public spaces changes will be installed using temporary infrastructure and be in place from August 2026 through to March 2027.

In March 2027, Council will decide which changes will remain in place and which will be removed or amended.

Where changes are retained, they will remain in place until future funding enables permanent construction.

The endorsed changes include:

• two new mini roundabouts at the intersections of Sapphire Coast Drive and Main Street, and Main Street and Market Street
• retaining two-way traffic along Market Street
• retaining existing turning movements at the Market Street traffic lights
• a new pedestrian crossing on Market Street, including lighting
• one-way eastbound traffic along Beach Street
• new 45-degree nose-to-kerb parking along Beach Street
• landscaping, beautification and public space improvements along Beach Street, including a new fenced playground
• minor landscaping, seating and pedestrian safety improvements at Hylands Corner.

Traffic monitoring will be undertaken following implementation of the changes. 

Merimbula-CBD-MAP-A4-Traffic-Configuration-June-2026.pdf(PDF, 313KB)

Emergency services have been notified and consulted as part of the planning process.

Traffic changes are being designed to maintain emergency access while improving safety and pedestrian amenity in the CBD.

Council will collect:

• Traffic volume data
• Pedestrian observation data
• Parking assessments
• Community feedback
• Technical assessments

This information will inform the March 2027 Council decision.

The monitoring period includes peak holiday periods deliberately.

Testing the changes during busy times provides realistic data on how the network performs under pressure.

This helps Council assess real-world impacts rather than relying only on modelling.

The traffic and parking changes are being implemented from August 2026 and will be monitored over the following months.

Community consultation will take place from December 2026 to January 2027.

In March 2027, Council will review monitoring data and community feedback and determine which changes will remain in place and which will be amended or removed.

Retained changes will remain until future funding enables permanent construction.

This project is funded by a $2.8 million grant from the Australian Government through the Investing in Our Communities program.

The funding supports:

• Installation and monitoring of traffic calming measures
• Upgrades at Hylands Corner
• Detailed design of the broader CBD upgrade.

Installation of the traffic and parking changes commenced in August 2026 and is expected to be completed by mid-September 2026, weather permitting.

See the latest project news and updates below for information about current works and changed traffic conditions.

Some parking spaces are proposed to be reconfigured to improve pedestrian safety, simplify traffic movements and create opportunities for public space activation.

In key locations, this allows parts of the street network to be repurposed as temporary public spaces where people can gather, spend time and participate in community activity.

These changes aim to:

• Create more vibrant and attractive spaces in the town centre
• Encourage people to spend more time in the CBD
• Support local businesses through increased foot traffic and activity
• Improve safety and overall amenity.

The overall reduction in parking is relatively small across the network, with alternative parking options available within the CBD.

The monitoring period will allow Council to assess how parking demand, turnover and public space use are affected before making longer-term decisions.