Gold Coast parking fine disputes surge, with introduction of Park Safe vehicles cited as a factor

New figures have shown ‘unresolved appeals’ against council parking fines surged this year, with a controversial move cited as one of the reasons. SEE THE FIGURES

The introduction by council of controversial ‘Park Safe’ vehicles has contributed to an enormous surge in unresolved appeals against parking fines.

Figures in Gold Coast City Council’s annual report show that there were 2863 ‘unresolved reviews’ at the end of the 2021-22 financial year, compared to 121 the year before.

The number of fines dished out was also up dramatically, with the 131,731 recorded last financial year 11.5 per cent higher than the 118,091 issued in the previous 12-month period.

The figures come after council in January introduced a number of Park Safe vehicles following a previous trial.

The vehicles contain cameras in roof-mounted boxes which allow officers to record instances of illegal parking as they drive by.

A Gold Coast Council Park Safe vehicle.

Council told the Bulletin it had been working hard to reduce the backlog of unresolved appeals, with “additional resourcing” thrown at the problem and the figure standing at 749 as of Friday last week.

A spokesperson said there were a number of factors behind the earlier surge in unresolved complaints, including effects of the Covid pandemic.

“The number of PIN (parking infringement notice) reviews in progress (in 2020-21) were unusually low due to less infringements being issued because of Covid impacts and a period when parking metres were not active,” the spokesperson told the Bulletin.

James Stay received a $287 fine after parking on a grass verge at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on October 29 after being snapped by a Park Safe vehicle.

The spokesperson added that council’s ability to progress appeals had been affected this year by staff falling ill with Covid and the flu.

However they admitted the introduction of the controversial ‘Park Safe’ vehicles had also been a factor.

“The introduction of Park Safe in 2021-22 resulted in more safety based parking offences, such as yellow line and no stopping breaches of the law,” a spokesperson told the Bulletin.

“The introduction of the City’s ‘Report a Problem’ app resulted in more complaints about dangerous or illegal parking being made by members of the public.”

The Park Safe vehicles have been linked to a number of controversial parking blitzes on the Gold Coast since the start of the year including:

* Parents fined for lining up outside school kiss and go zones.

* Motorists fined for angle parking outside a farmer’s market.

* Parents fined while attending a free school holidays event promoted by council.

* Dozens of people fined at the Coomera Indoor Sports Complex while a children’s basketball tournament was taking place.

Nicole Walters was fined $167 for angle parking at Helensvale Farmers market after being snapped by a Park Safe vehicle. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Figures in council’s annual report also reveal that its income from issuing fines has risen substantially.

In 2021-22 $17.015 million was collected, the overwhelming majority of which was from parking fines. In the previous financial year $14.096 million was collected.

Speaking on Friday, Mayor Tom Tate said council was not attempting to “get our jollies off” by issuing more parking fines, and encouraged people to pay attention to signage.

“We haven’t given directives to say go and rake in more parking fines,” Cr Tate said.

“Basically, if your parking is not safe and is illegal, well, if you don’t want to pay the fines read the signs and stay within the parking limits.

“It’s not like let’s go and money grab and get our jollies off by putting more parking fees against people. That’s not the way.

“The main thing is we want parking to be turned over in commercial areas so that the next people can come in to have their coffee, to spend their money on cake or presents or jewellery, and get back in the car two hours later. Another person comes in, spends more money. And that’s really the essence in commercial areas.”

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