Council warns Moreton Bay drivers to kerb ‘polite’ parking despite narrow roads

A council in the north of Brisbane has given drivers fair warning before parking fines are issued.

Vehicles "polite parking" in North Lakes. Picture: Marcel Baum

MORETON Bay residents have been warned to beware parking on kerbs despite battling narrow roads.

Moreton Bay Regional Council recently letter dropped the warnings as part of a campaign across the region, advising residents of “parking regulations in accordance with the Queensland Road Rules”.

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Some residents “polite park” - parking with two wheels on the road and two off - to keep roads clear for traffic, yet MBRC was adamant the practice was illegal.

“People who make the decision to park on a road must do so in accordance with the legal parking requirements under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management - Road Rules) Regulations,” a MBRC spokesman said.

“The Queensland road rules allow motorists to park on both sides of the road.

“However, they must leave at least three metres of clear roadway between their vehicle and other parked vehicles, dividing strips, traffic islands or unbroken driving lines.”

Warning letters have been sent urging Moreton Bay drivers against "polite parking". Picture: Marcel Baum

Speaking at a recent meeting members of the Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA) bemoaned the “impracticality” of parking on some of the area’s notoriously narrow roads.

“The smaller the housing lots, the greater the number of vehicles,” MHPA president Laurence Christie said.

“So council needs to look at the size of lots.

“Brisbane City Council came out this week and said from next year on they will limit the number of allotments of a small size.”

Some members at the meeting called for more generous roads.

“If council’s policy is going to be to fine people for parking on the foot path to keep their vehicles out of the traffic area, then the new designs for roads would have to allow for cars to park on both sides of the road,” a MHPA member said.

“Otherwise it is a bit unfair to impose fines on people who are trying to keep their vehicles out of the traffic area.”

A graphic depicting regulations brought in by Moreton Bay Regional Council requiring new roads to allow vehicles to park on both sides while accommodating through traffic. Picture: Moreton Bay Regional Council

A MBRC spokesman said according to council’s planning scheme commenced in 2016, new subdivision approvals require local access roads to have sufficient pavement width so vehicles could be legally parked on both sides of a street and still allow traffic flow.

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Council said residents have been responding well to the campaign but confirmed fines could be given in certain circumstances.

“Fines are issued if officers deem there is an immediate public safety risk, illegal or dangerously parked vehicles,” a MBRC said.