City asks State Government to review parking fines on footpaths after backlash from residents

Mayor Tom Tate is to go to the state government about changing parking laws after anger over tickets issued in narrow suburban streets. FULL DETAILS

Mayor Tom Tate is to put pressure on the state government to reform its parking laws following an outpouring of anger from motorists fined for parking on their own driveways.

Councillors at a transport committee meeting on Tuesday unanimously voted to ask Mr Tate to write to Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg about reviewing State rules impacting on residents living in narrow suburban streets.

Future changes could see a “two wheels up and two wheels down” be allowed in streets less than six metres wide.

All councillors are expected to vote and back the move at the next full council meeting, with a spokesperson for the mayor on the letter saying: “It will be done in quick order”.

A truck collects rubbish on Greenwich Court in Robina, its passage aided by the fact a nearby car has been parked with two wheels up and two down. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The City issues parking fines but the rules governing them are set by the state government. Parking with two wheels on nature strips currently incurs a fine of $201.

The push for reforms follows a series of stories in the Gold Coast Bulletin about motorists copping fines for parking with two wheels up, and a petition by residents of Greenwich Court in Robina who have received warnings for parking in driveways.

Residents say their “driveways are too short” for the latest cars and their less than six metres wide street “too narrow” to park on without putting two wheels on the grass.

Carers for resident Meegan Finn, who uses a wheelchair, said it was safest for them to park in the driveway when picking her up.

Her sister-in-law Tammy Finn said: “Meegan being in a wheelchair, you could imagine, you need good visibility to get across the road. There’s narrow streets to going to the (Newlife) Church, where there’s hundreds of people visiting.”

Greenwich Court resident Meegan Finn is worried her carers won’t be able to park in the driveway of her home. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Robina councillor Dan Doran said the suburb had many narrow streets and parking fines were a major issue.

“There’s a lot of concern from residents about these fines. They feel they are doing the right thing (by parking two wheels up),” he said.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson said it did not make sense to apply the laws on small suburban streets.

The transport committee meeting heard almost 17,000 complaints had been made to council about parking fines last year, with a growing number from residents being pinged for parking on their driveways.

Latest council parking data reveals:

* A total of 178,442 illegal parking infringements were issued in 2024 with about 1.1 per cent (2072) for parking illegally on or across a driveway.

* The City issued 4976 warnings for illegal parking with approximately 3.5 per cent (175) issued for parking illegally on or across a driveway.

* Officers impounded 27 vehicles for parking illegally across a driveway.

* A total of 25,592 parking appeals received for infringements issued, with approximately 3.1 per cent (807) relating to infringements issued for illegal parking on or across driveways.

* About 16,827 parking complaints were received by the City with approximately 10 per cent (1,716) relating to reports of illegal parking on or across a driveway.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson said it did not make sense to apply the laws on small suburban streets.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates gained the support of all councillors for Mayor Tate to write to the Transport Minister calling on the Government to review laws on driver setback breaches.

The Government could consider the option of “two wheels up and two wheels down” on footpaths in streets less than six metres wide.

“This is an issue in all newer areas across the City. It’s not our legislation,” Ms Gates said, adding council was trying to address it.

LNP MP for Theodore Mark Boothman has previously also spoken out about the issue, warning emergency services vehicles could struggle to access narrow suburban streets if people did not park with two wheels up on verges.

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