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Suburb where fines rose 336 per cent in six months

Fine revenue in Brisbane’s suburban bayside has risen dramatically in just six months, with the local councillor accusing Brisbane City Council of profiteering.

John Mcardle has been fined twice after new technology from the council has pinned locals on main streets at Wynnum with more than $100 fines for just a half-hour of parking. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)
John Mcardle has been fined twice after new technology from the council has pinned locals on main streets at Wynnum with more than $100 fines for just a half-hour of parking. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)

PARKING fine revenue in Wynnum has risen 336 per cent in just six months and the local councillor has accused Brisbane City Council of profiteering and endangering small business.

In 2018-19 the total fines collected in Wynnum was $12,580 while the revenue collected

between June and December 2019 rocketed up to $54,870.

Parking restrictions in Wynnum CBD to be changed next month

Council parking technology hitting Wynnum residents where it hurts

Labor Cr Peter Cumming (Wynnum Manly) said the parking blitz the council had run on Wynnum CBD’s high streets was “profiteering”.

“I think people should have been given a warning and the council should have announced they were going to have a blitz on parking, so people would have had an opportunity to change their behaviour.”

“Some of the traders in Edith St are saying their takings are down, and they’re saying it’s due to the parking,” Cr Cumming said.

Labor Councillor Peter Cumming (Wynnum Manly). Picture: AAP/Regi Varghese
Labor Councillor Peter Cumming (Wynnum Manly). Picture: AAP/Regi Varghese

Cr Cumming said a recent survey he conducted with businesses on Edith St and Florence St found a majority of them wanted to increase 30-minute parking to one hour.

He said based on this feedback the council would increase the parking limit on Edith St to one hour this month.

LNP Community Arts and Lifestyle chair Peter Matic said the council had received 120 complaints about illegal parking in the area since January 1 2020.

“The Labor Councillor’s allegations are 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.

“The Councillor well and truly knows, and has been told several times, that if he is concerned about any parking enforcement in his ward to contact myself and we will review the circumstances and wherever possible issue a warning to residents, not a fine.”

Cr Matic said the changes in parking on Edith St would begin on February 21 and said any resident who felt they had been incorrectly or unfairly fined should call the contact centre on 3403 8888.

Councillor Peter Cumming said he had not requested the strict enforcement of parking time limits which had occurred in Wynnum Central.

Councillor Cumming said the claim by Councillor Peter Matic that he had was inaccurate.

The only complaint that related to Wynnum Central was a complaint from an office about a truck parked in a 10 minute parking zone for three days.

The other 6 complaints were about large vehicles parked in other suburban areas.

LNP Councillor Peter Matic, chair of the Community, Arts and Lifestyle committee. Picture AAP/David Clark
LNP Councillor Peter Matic, chair of the Community, Arts and Lifestyle committee. Picture AAP/David Clark

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/suburb-where-fines-rose-336-per-cent-in-six-months/news-story/2be4bd132d5d00982839ecd347df3c30