Residents say no to dobbing

AFTER proposing Boonah residents dob in motorists who overstayed parking limits, Scenic Rim councillors have changed their minds.

AFTER proposing Boonah residents dob in motorists who overstayed parking limits, Scenic Rim councillors have changed their minds.

The council backed away from the plan after receiving feedback from the community against the idea.

As part of last year's Boonah Town Centre Parking Plan, council initially proposed to put time limits on parking in High, Railway, Park and Church Sts, but urged residents to report overstayers rather than installing parking meters.

Councillor Heather Wehl said community submissions were receptive to many of the plan's proposals, but not volunteer parking inspectors.

"From the submissions received, there is a general acceptance by the community in recommendations made in the study, with the exception of encouraging compliance through volunteers," she said.

In an attempt to solve the lack of parking in the main streets of Boonah, the council has agreed to form a working group with the Boonah Chamber of Commerce to develop an implementation plan.

The council's previous parking scheme proposed to place two-hour and four-hour limits on car parking spaces on High, Railway, Park and Church Sts. The shortfall of car parks in the central business district has been a longstanding issue for shoppers and the town's chamber of commerce.

The limited parking spots are often filled by staff and local businesses, leaving few spaces for shoppers to park.

A petition was created by a business owner in 2008, calling for improvements to the parking situation.

Cr Wehl said the creation of the working body with the chamber was an important step forward in solving the existing parking issues with the support of the local business community.

The council is looking at improving existing off-street parking facilities on Walter St.

A council spokesperson said at this stage they were not looking at constructing further off-street parking in Boonah, despite looking at plans to expand off street options in nearby Beaudesert.

"Community submissions were receptive to many of the plan's proposals, but not volunteer parking inspectors."

Originally published as Residents say no to dobbing