Frequently asked questions

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.

The project includes the creation of temporary public spaces in parts of Market Street and the Beach Street car park, as well as upgrades to Hylands Corner.

These improvements aim to:

• Create more space for people to gather, relax and spend time
• Support events, outdoor dining and community activity
• Improve the look, feel and usability of the town centre
• Strengthen connections between the CBD and the foreshore.

A range of physical changes and activation opportunities will be explored to encourage greater use of these spaces and support a more vibrant CBD.

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

 Consultation was undertaken as part of:

• Merimbula CBD Landscape Masterplan (2015)
• Merimbula Transport Study (adopted 2023)
• Local Strategic Planning Statement 2040

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

This current consultation provides an additional opportunity for the community to review the proposed traffic and public space changes before any implementation occurs.

The Merimbula Transport Study identified that the CBD currently functions primarily as a vehicle-focused network, particularly during peak holiday periods.

This can impact:

• Pedestrian safety and movement
• How public spaces are used
• The overall experience of the town centre.

The proposed changes aim to better balance the needs of people, place and movement, supporting a safer, more vibrant and more accessible CBD.

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 and detailed design enable permanent construction as part of the broader Merimbula CBD upgrade.

Yes.

Council adopted the Merimbula Transport Study recommendations in principle. This project will test those recommendations in real-world conditions before committing to long-term changes in the detailed design phase and investing in future upgrades of the CBD.

We will be seeking community feedback on the proposed changes from 23 April to 21 May before any changes are implemented. Council will review that feedback and consider refinements in July 2026.

Once the changes are in place residents can provide feedback which will inform Council’s decision in March 2027 of what is retained, removed or amended.

The proposed changes include:

• Three new mini roundabouts
• Market Street becoming single lane southbound between Merimbula Drive and Main Street
• Beach Street becoming one way eastbound heading towards Short Point
• No turning right into Market Street at the traffic lights
• Parts of Market Street and Beach Street to be converted into temporary public space activations
• Selected turning restrictions
• Reconfigured parking
• Speed zone changes
• Public space activations including places to gather and enjoy the CBD and local events

Simplified Map- Merimbula CBD Upgrade- Proposed Changes

Traffic Plans- Merimbula CBD Upgrade- Proposed Changes

The proposed changes result in a net reduction of four parking spaces across the Merimbula CBD with some spaces removed or reconfigured.

Updated parking maps will be made available prior to any traffic changes being implemented to show alternative parking locations within the Merimbula CBD.

Accessible parking will remain available within the Merimbula CBD.

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

Yes.

All businesses in the Merimbula CBD will remain open and accessible.

Council will provide updated parking information and wayfinding to help customers continue to access local businesses.

There is a proposed loading zone change on the western side of Market Street. Businesses will be advised of the timing of any changes to provide adequate notification to suppliers.

Council will monitor impacts during the monitoring period.

Traffic movements will be monitored before and after the traffic changes are implemented.

This project allows Council to assess whether unintended impacts on other parts of the road network occur and make adjustments if required before the detailed design is completed.

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.

Subject to Council’s July 2026 decision, the changes will be in place from August 2026 to March 2027.

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

Retained changes will remain until further funding and detailed design enable permanent construction as part of the broader Merimbula CBD upgrade.

Future works, including undergrounding of power and utility upgrades, will require additional funding and staged delivery.

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.

The current project is funded by a $2.8 million Australian Government grant.

The complete Merimbula CBD upgrade is expected to require significantly more funding and detailed design work.

The staged approach allows Council to test traffic changes from the Merimbula Transport Study, gather data and develop a detailed design for the Merimbula CBD Upgrade that will guide future funding decisions and strengthen future grant funding applications.

• Through the Have Your Say page
• At a community information session or drop in and chat with the team at one of the pop-ups:

Merimbula CBD Upgrade- Community Information Sessions

• Tuesday 28 April
  5.30pm to 6.30pm
  Club Sapphire, Merimbula
• Sunday 3 May
  4pm to 5pm
  Club Sapphire, Merimbula

 Community Pop-ups at Twyford Hall

• Tuesday 5 May from 8am to 10am
• Thursday 14 May from 5pm to 7pm
• Wednesday 20 May from 12pm to 2pm

 In writing to council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au

All feedback will be documented and reported to Council.

Subject to Council’s July 2026 decision, installation of the traffic, parking and public spaces changes is expected between August and September 2026

Exact dates will be published closer to commencement.

This project does not deliver full reconstruction of the Merimbula CBD.

Major works such as undergrounding of power, full streetscape reconstruction and stormwater and major utility upgrades are not included in the current funding and would require additional funding and staged delivery.

At the end of this project Council will have a Merimbula CBD Master Plan that includes detailed designs.   This Master Plan can be used to inform future grant funding applications and funding decisions. Given the scale and cost of the upgrade works it will need to be staged over a number of years.

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.

If monitoring data and community feedback indicate that certain changes are not achieving their intended outcomes, Council can:

• Modify elements during the trial
• Remove specific measures
• Decide not to retain certain changes.

The staged approach ensures that long-term decisions are informed by evidence and community input.