Families cop fines at Damian Leeding Memorial Park school holidays event

A mum is furious after being stung by city parking inspectors at a free school holidays event spruiked by council.

A GOLD COAST mum is furious after being stung for $172 by city parking inspectors at a free school holidays event spruiked by council.

Carly Been brought children Holly, 7, and six-year-old twins Will and Ed to a ‘Mini Games’ event at Damian Leeding Memorial Park in Oxenford on June 28.

The event, promoted as part of Gold Coast City Council’s ‘Active and Healthy’ program, promised “fun activities” for children aged six to 12 years.

However the day out was soured when Ms Been received a $172 infringement notice – one of 18 drivers to be fined by council at the park that day.

“I thought it was really great that council puts on all these events during school holidays,” Ms Been said.

“I brought all three of my kids.

“It was healthy, kept them off their devices. It ticked all the boxes.

“But then to have the officers out around an event for families that was billed as a free day out. I think it’s unreasonable.

“My free day out became very expensive.”

Carly Been and children Ed (6), Holly (7) and Will (6) with the family car. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Ms Been was fined for parking in an area behind, but not in front of, a yellow line. She is appealing the fine, saying the area was commonly used for parking and it was far from clear to drivers that parking there was not allowed.

“There is a yellow line in the photo, but it’s open to interpretation,” Ms Been said.

“I’ve lived in Upper Coomera for 12 years. Someone is always parked in that spot.

“It was on a day that they organised this kids event, they had people everywhere.

“If they really wanted to stop people parking where I parked, the exclusion zone should be painted to the kerb.”

Ms Been’s experience comes in the wake of a series of controversies about council parking fines, including at a Farmers Market, primary school and on hinterland nature strips.

Ms Been said she was most shocked at how high the fine was, saying $172 was a lot to pay for parking in what she had believed to be a safe and legal spot.

“I have had a fine once before, years ago,” Ms Been said. “I appealed because there was no signage and I was successful.

“That fine was about $35-$40 range.

“Having a $172 fine seems exorbitant. It just seems over the top for the offence.”

Council parking fine image of Carly Been’s car parked at Damian Leeding Memorial Park in Oxenford.

TICKET, STICK IT: Have you had an unfair parking fine? Email [e-mail].

A council spokesperson said Ms Been’s fine was one of 18 issued at Damian Leeding Memorial Park on the day in question.

“The city of Gold Coast is committed to safe and equitable parking for all,” the spokesperson said.

“In response to a community complaint, a patrol was undertaken of Damian Leeding Memorial Park on June 28.

“During the patrol 18 parking infringement notices were issued in the boat ramp area. Two infringements related to yellow line offences and 16 for parking in spaces specifically marked for vehicles with trailers.

“Damian Leeding Memorial Park offers 166 marked bays, providing a mix of parking options to accommodate the needs of recreational users.

“Vehicle with trailer parking bays are allocated to allow the safe movement of these vehicles in the boat ramp area.”

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