Coronavirus Gold Coast: Gold Coast Council’s ‘sneaky’ fine for parking in a car park bay

Gold Coasters dealing with ever changing life restrictions are furious after being stung with whopping fines, for parking at spots where fees used to be free or metered.

GOLD Coasters already dealing with economic uncertainty are furious at whopping fines for parking at spots which had been free but suddenly became no-parking zones with minimal signage to highlight it.

And council is refusing to commit to waiving the stinging $166 fines.

Justin Hanna was one of several people stung with a $166 parking fine during the Easter weekend after Gold Coast City Council declared a number of parking bays “no stopping” or 15 minutes only, while nearby meters stated the bays were free parking all day.

Mr Hanna and his 74-year-old mother were hit with $166 fines each on Easter Sunday while going for their regular daily walk in the parklands.

MAJOR CHANGES PLANNED FOR COUNCIL DUMPS

Locals Justin Hanna and his 74 year old mum Deirdre Hanna were fined for parking in a car park. Picture Glenn Hampson

HOW RESIDENT FORCED COUNCIL TO RETHINK PARKING FINES

“We’re from Southport, we go for a walk there every morning, six days a week,” he said.

“This is where we go for our exercise. Now there’s a very small sign they put up on Thursday night (last week) that’s pointing to the six car parks outside Catalina Cafe saying no stopping.

“Me and another six people were hit. People were so confused by the parking meters saying free parking: ‘Do I pay? Am I allowed to stop here anymore?’

“Council has deliberately deceived people overnight — it’s no longer free parking, but they put the tiniest little symbol there saying no standing,” he claimed.

Compounding their fury is that last month, Mayor Tom Tate announced metered parking would be switched off as a kind gesture for residents struggling with the economic downturn of coronavirus restrictions.

Katie Campbell is another Southport resident who parked nearby yesterday morning and was also hit with a $166 fine.

COUNCIL CLOSES BEACHES AND CAR PARKS

Local Katie Campbell was fined after checking the meter read “free parking”. Picture Glenn Hampson

HOW GOLD COAST CAN BOOM AGAIN AFTER CORONAVIRUS

“We saw that the parking meter said free parking, we got a takeaway coffee, went for our stroll, about 45 minutes later we came back and we had a ticket,” she said.

“We saw this puny little 20cm by 8cm sign that says quarter-hour (parking). We were really shocked.

“It was so easy to miss when you’re driving through. We spoke to people and saved two or three people from getting the same fine we did.

“We just took bub out for a walk, I can’t see what we did wrong. My husband and I have both had our hours reduced at work. $166 on reduced hours is really tough.”

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said correct signage was in place to warn the individuals of the risk of getting a fine.

CORONAVIRUS: FEW RUINING IT FOR THE SILENT MAJORITY

Justin was walking going on his regular daily walk through the parklands with his mother. Picture Glenn Hampson

“While fees are not being applied at metered car parks, anyone who parks in an unsafe manner or in a zone not designated as a carpark may be at risk of a fine,” the spokeswoman said.

“Signage was installed advising of closures at beachside and waterfront carparks, which were closed in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Barricades were also installed which served as a visual reminder that these car parks were closed.”

The spokeswoman would not answer if the fines would be waived.