Drew Brauer’s parking fairy sparks debate over introducing Gold Coast-type Meter Maids

There are calls for Cairns CBD traders to band together and fund a quirky plan involving meter maids to take away the stress of parking tickets, but not everyone is fan of the idea.

A PARKING fairy travelling around Cairns paying for people’s tickets has sparked debate over whether the iconic Gold Coast Meter Maids concept could work here.

When paid parking was introduced on the Glitter Strip in the 1960s, traders bandied together to hire meter maids to feed the machines in a bid to save people being fined and ultimately scaring them away.

Fettas Greek Taverna owner George Karagiannis, a strong advocate against the increase of parking charges, said this should be done in Cairns.

Owner of Fettas Greek Taverna George Karagiannis is concerned about weekend parking charges. Picture: Anna Rogers.

“I think the businesses should get together, contribute some money each and get the girls to hit the street,” he said.

“I talk to people every night and the parking situation in Cairns is getting out of control.”

Mr Karagiannis said the notion would be something great for the city as well as for those feeling the pain after bing fined $66 for overstaying in a space.

“It gives a bit of colour, a bit of fun, a bit of cheekiness,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said it could give Cairns an edge.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill said meter maids could be a great thing in Cairns.

“Obviously it’s a quirky way of marketing our destination, if we had something like that we would be a well talked about place,” she said.

“Without the risk of running the parking time, it certainly would help business.”

Ms O’Neill said it would be fantastic for people’s wellbeing.

“It would be wonderful for people’s mental health to come out and not see a parking ticket,” she said.

Last week Allgood Nutrition co-founder Drew Brauer went around the city in a bid to raise awareness on mental health.

Drew Brauer aka the Allgood Parking Fairy has gone around Cairns paying for people's parking tickets. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Brauer said since he started, people had reached out with their most difficult-to-find car park locations which included around Cairns Hospital and Grafton Street.

“I think the feedback I’ve got since we put it up was that it is really tough for people,” he said.

“I think there’s definitely a need for it, there’s an opportunity for it.

Mr Brauer said the Cairns version of meter maids could be tropically themed.

However, some business owners in the CBD were concerned it might create other issues.

Gold Coast Meter Maids Estefania Marquez and Kelly Maybury. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Blackbird Espresso manager Andrew Graham said a park and ride might be a better option.

“It’s a fun novel idea to imitate the Gold Coast but parking is tight in the CBD; it’s been an issue for years, so by having those parking spaces consumed for longer isn’t necessarily the solution,” he said.

Originally published as Drew Brauer’s parking fairy sparks debate over introducing Gold Coast-type Meter Maids