WTF: Muffed motorist, parking problem, Collard’s car controversy

After forking out $21 online to book an appointment time to lodge paperwork at the authority’s South Geelong HQ, the frustrated driver was still sent to the back of the queue.

VicRoads South Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us. We’ve asked the people of Geelong to point out the problems that irritate and exasperate and have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

VICROADS GRINDING GEARS

VicRoads in South Geelong.

Getting a green light to register a car had one motorist seeing red at VicRoads in Geelong this week.

After forking out $21 online to book an appointment time to lodge paperwork at the South Geelong HQ, the frustrated driver was still sent to the back of the queue

With the waiting room bursting at the seams, an employee manning the door declared appointments didn’t apply “because we’re understaffed”.

After a 40-minute wait – and no refund of the useless booking fee – the driver was back on the road and on the warpath over VicRoads’ failings.

“When VicRoads was privatised, there were all sorts of promises that would improve customer service,” the driver said.

“All that seems to have improved is its cash-grabbing ability.

“What gives VicRoads the right to charge to make an appointment anyhow? How many businesses in the real world do that?

“And to then disregard the appointment and payment is a disgrace.”

The rant comes after recent reports key service targets were lowered when VicRoads’ licensing and registration divisions were offloaded to the private sector.

Our unhappy driver is wondering: how low can they go?

According to VicRoads, customers can request a refund on the spot, with staff able to organise a cheque to be mailed to the client.

“We apologise to any customers who have been inconvenienced,” a spokeswoman said.

“Any customers who have had their appointment cancelled can either transfer their appointment at no cost or receive a refund.”

Our muffed motorist will now have to give VicRoads a buzz to request a bank transfer, all over $21.

TESTING OUR PATIENTS

The decision to temporarily close the carpark at Andrew Love Cancer Centre in Geelong’s CBD has raised questions.

Parking woes at a cancer centre in Geelong’s CBD are in the spotlight again.

Underground works are at Andrew Love Cancer Centre (ALCC) on Swanston St have seen its carpark temporarily closed and a source described the situation as “completely inappropriate” for cancer patients.

On-street parking along Swanston St has also been affected, further limiting options in the area.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the works would improve infrastructure at the centre and would be completed in December.

“While there is pedestrian access, patients with appointments have been notified of the temporary impact on parking and our staff are working with them to offer assistance when required,” Ms Bibby said.

“We recognise there is high demand for carparking in the city’s hospital precinct and we apologise for the inconvenience these works might cause to patients and visitors.”

It’s understood staff from ALCC are personally assisting patients with mobility issues who have appointments, with instructions sent in patient appointment letters.

The ALCC was opened by then premier Joan Kirner in 1992 as Victoria’s first regional cancer centre.

Parking at the centre has been a point of contention in the past.

In April 2023, a cancer patient said she had to walk 15 minutes from her car to the ALCC for lifesaving treatment due to a lack of nearby parking.

In May of this year, Barwon Health told staff to walk back to their cars in pairs after Geelong hospital nurses had their cars broken into at night.

DAVE, WHERE’S MY CAR (CASH)?

David Collard appears in Manhattan Supreme Court in New York City on Friday afternoon, February 23, 2024. (Photo by Jefferson Siegel)

Surprise, surprise, former St Joseph’s student David Collard has seemingly not been paying his bills – again.

The Scale Facilitation founder who courted some of Canberra’s most powerful people before becoming the target of a federal investigation over alleged tax fraud, has had action brought against him in New York’s Suffolk County Supreme Court.

Putnam Leasing alleges that Mr Collard failed to make the monthly payments as he was bound to do after signing a five-year lease in November 2022 for a Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge.

Decent wheels for Dave.

The vehicle, which retails for a lazy $750,000, is a head-turner and there’s no doubt Mr Collard liked turning heads.

He is being chased for US$210,000 ($322,000) plus interest at the hefty rate of 18 per cent.

Frustratingly for Putnam, there are already others waiting in line to be paid.

In July, court documents were lodged over claims he owed $208,000 in unpaid rent relating to a swanky apartment in the Big Apple’s Hell’s Kitchen district, nearly the Hudson River.

This followed Mr Collard’s eviction from his previous residence on New York’s Billionaire’s Row, again due to unpaid rent totalling well in excess of $600,000.

This is not the first time Mr Collard has graced this page, and given the multitude of ongoing issues surrounding the disgraced businessman, we don’t think it will be the last.

Originally published as WTF: Muffed motorist, parking problem, Collard’s car controversy