Noosa Council workers stop issuing parking tickets, garbos on strike

As visitors pour into Noosa for the Easter holidays, workers are refusing to issue parking tickets as they put the squeeze on council over a pay dispute.

Noosa Council workers have refused to issue parking tickets as garbage workers continue strike action in the region, affecting bin collection over the busy Easter period.

Noosa Council workers have refused to issue parking tickets as garbage workers continue strike action in the region, affecting bin collection over the busy Easter period.

The parking ticket move is among industrial action council workers have taken over the past few weeks over an ongoing pay dispute.

Last week, Noosa Council workers marched through Hastings Street in pursuit of a new enterprise bargaining agreement which would provide a 9.5 per cent wage increase in 2025, followed by 4.5 per cent raises in 2026 and 2027.

The council is offering workers a 13.5 per cent increase over three years, saying the offer is “well above inflation”.

Organiser Michael Anderson from the Australian Workers’ Union said council workers were continuing workplace disruption until a fair pay rise offer was brought to the table.

Australian Workers' Union members marched through Hastings St on April 3 as part of ongoing industrial action after wage negotiations soured between the Noosa Council and its workers.

The workers would not type on keyboards, he said.

“There are also bans on the issuing of parking fines,” Mr Anderson said.

Australian Workers' Union members will not type on keyboards and the industrial action includes bans on the issuing of parking fines.

A car used to record vehicles’ details for parking fines was launched by the council in August last year.

A Noosa Council spokesman said the parking infringement camera car was “on the road with urgent and safety issues being prioritised” during the busy Easter period.

This meant the car would photograph infringements, however, the issuing of parking tickets would be one of the “most impacted areas” according to council.

The council spokesman would not detail whether infringements were being saved to issue at a later date or not processed at all.

The Noosa Council parking fine car.

Last week, Mr Anderson said about 30 per cent of the council’s workers were forced to live outside the shire as their wages failed to keep up with rent and cost of living pressures.

“Their wages are that low compared to neighbouring councils since deamalgamation, and they’re just looking to rectify that now,” he said.

Noosa Council chief executive Larry Sengstock called for community patience and apologised for disruptions and inconvenience to residents.

“The non-union staff are working diligently to respond as quickly as they can and I hope the community can understand the current situation,” he said.

Finding parks in Noosa over the Easter period can take time.

Meanwhile, Noosa garbage workers have called out safety issues on their trucks and worksites as their own industrial action heats up.

Noosa garbos announced they would strike today, April 17, as part of ongoing industrial action by those employed by Cleanaway Noosa.

They will march into Hastings Street today, with another strike planned for Tuesday, April 22.

This will disrupt bin collection across the shire during the busy Easter period.

On April 3, Transport Workers’ Union officials inspected the Noosa Cleanaway worksite for several hours after members reported issues.

A union spokesman said there were concerns that almost every rubbish truck had defects relating to roadworthiness.

Employees were concerned about “insufficient control measures in place for protection at landfill sites”, and that dangerous goods were not stowed as required.

The union has called on Cleanaway to act on the concerns.

The Queensland organising director for the Transport Workers’ Union Josh Millroy said members were also still fighting for a “respectful and decent” wage offer from Cleanaway Noosa.

“It’s time for Noosa Council to step in, and call on this contractor to sit down with workers and come to an agreement,” he said.

A Cleanaway spokesperson said safety and the protection of the environment were foundations of the company.

“At Cleanaway we have a culture that encourages our employees to raise any safety concerns so that they can be immediately investigated and remedied if needed,” they said.