Parking restrictions in Wynnum CBD to be changed next month

Parking restrictions will be changed in a Brisbane suburb following outrage from the community but not before barbs were exchanged between political parties.

Wynnum resident John Mcardle with his wife after being fined twice while parking on Edith St late last year. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

PARKING restrictions will be changed in a suburb on Brisbane’s bayside following outrage from the community but not before barbs were exchanged between political parties.

Bayside residents were not happy when 30-minute restrictions were enforced on Edith St in the Wynnum CBD, with many arguing it was not enough time, especially for elderly residents, to complete everyday activities such as visiting the doctor.

Following feedback from the community, Councillor Peter Cumming (ALP) started a survey where 15 local business said they wanted to change the limit to one hour and 12 said two hours.

COUNCIL PARKING TECHNOLOGY HITTING RESIDENTS IN THE POCKET

Councillor Peter Cumming. Picture: AAP/Regi Varghese

Cr Cumming said he smelt a rat in the zealous enforcement of the rules in the run up to the council election in March.

“The LNP are out to rip as much money out of a Labor Ward as they can over the next 10 weeks,” he said.

But Community Arts and Lifestyle Chair Peter Matic fired back and said rather than advocating for addressing safety concerns and ensuring customers can reach local small businesses, Cr Cumming was instead trying to score a political point.

Brisbane City Councillor Peter Matic. Picture AAP/David Clark

“The Labor councillor is choosing politics over people and his allegations are completely hypocritical, as his own ward office has contacted council seven times in the past six months about concerns of illegal parking in Wynnum,” he said.

“If the local councillor does not want parking enforcement in his area he should stop requesting it.

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“Vehicles that overstay carparking can impact small businesses that rely on turnover of street parking spaces for their customers.

“Council works closely with small businesses when determining on-street parking allocations and based on local business feedback will be increasing parking restrictions on Edith St from 30 minutes to one hour by the end of February.”