Fix parking signs or we will die: Brisbane businessman

Ten years after he took up cudgels to fight “draconian’’ parking rules, a westside businessman says Council still hasn’t got it right.

Bill Concannon from Mary Ryan’s bookstore has been waging a 10-year battle to have parking restrictions around Suncorp Stadium eased. Picture: Annette Dew

Parking signs in the troubled Lang Park Traffic Precinct need to be reworded to save struggling traders, a businessman says.

His comments came as Tourism minister and local MP Kate Jones launched a stinging attack on the councillor responsible for the signs, Peter Matic (Paddington), telling him to hurry up and get on with it.

Mary Ryan owner Bill Concannon, who has pushed for a decade to have parking rules in the Suncorp Stadium area relaxed, said retail vacancy figures showed the problem was severe.

An analysis of vacancies on realcommercial.com.au shows 75 spaces are for lease on Given and Latrobe terraces, Paddington.

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That is three times higher than some other comparable high streets such as Ascot (27 vacancies), Bulimba (24) and Nundah (20).

One quarter of retail spaces at the Barracks precinct are also empty, including the Lorna Jane site.

Mr Concannon, who successfully campaigned for new wording on electronic road signs in the area, said customers were still scared of parking in the area.

“Given that 80 per cent of people who attend games at Suncorp travel by public transport and are bussed into the stadium for free, why the need for lockdowns for 12 hours?’’ he said.

“Why can’t the electronic signs just say ‘No game today, two-hour parking’.

“The parking inspectors instead come in like a shower of fruit bats on game days.

“It’s easy pickings because 15 minute parking (on those days) means they can go along one side of the street booking people, come back on the other side of the street and start all over again.’’

Cr Peter Matic with Concannon from Mary Ryan’s in Milton, where parking inspectors have driven away customers. Picture: Patria Jannides

Ms Jones said she had a clear message for Cr Matic.

“Stop stuffing around and get on with the job,’’ she said.

“It’s on the public record that I told Cr Matic last year that this was council’s decision to make.

“Regardless, council wrote to TMR in September and was advised in writing by TMR in the same month that council could put the signs up, they just needed to submit a design of the sign for approval.

“Since then, it’s been on council to act. Four months on, they’ve still done nothing.

“Mr Concannon’s follow up has embarrassed them into playing politics.’’

Mr Concannon said Cr Matic told him recently people had been “conditioned’’ over a long period to think there were parking restrictions and did not realise the laws were relaxed last year.

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A spokeswoman said Council wrote to the Department of Main Roads and Transport seeking approval for installing “No event today’’ signs and had received confirmation the change could be made.

“Council is working on making these changes and anticipates they will be in place for the first NRL match of the season, which is in March,’’ she said.

“Previously, and after extensive community consultation, which resulted in more than 90 per cent of residents supporting the changes, Council introduced a 15-minute parking limit within Lang Park Traffic Area on event days in March, 2019.

“The limits apply from two hours before gates open at Suncorp Stadium to two hours after the event finishes.

Bill Concannon celebrates last year after Council announced new wording on electronic signs. He now says Council has reneged on its initial promise to fix parking problems in the area. Picture: Annette Dew

“Large digital boundary signs display the parking limits on event days and high-visibility traffic signs ensure motorists are aware they have parked in the Lang Park Traffic area.

“Council will continue to consult with local businesses and residents about parking issues and initiatives.’’

Greens candidate for Paddington, Donna Burns, held a community forum late last year canvassing ideas to revitalise small businesses in the area.

“Our community is deeply concerned by the amount of empty shop fronts as it really detracts from the former vibrancy of the area,’’ Ms Burns said.

“Rent increases and parking difficulty are real issues that our community faces.

“Turning a few lights on over the Christmas period (Cr Matic unveiled fairy lights in street trees in the precinct late last year) really doesn’t go far enough, and locals knows that.

“Following on from the ideas brought forward at the forum, and in consultation with businesses, the Greens will be announcing some positive initiatives to deal with these concerns to encourage more people back into our retail districts in Paddington.”