More than 20,000 complaints investigated about vehicles being fined for parking on verges

More than 20,000 complaints have been made to Gold Coast City Council about illegal parking on footpaths and nature strips, sparking an investigation and review.

More than 20,000 complaints have been made to Gold Coast City Council about illegal parking on footpaths and nature strips, sparking an enforcement options review.

City officers found more than 27 per cent of complaints relate to illegal verge parking which shows it is the number one reported “hot” traffic issue.

They are offering options to councillors but elected representatives remain divided on a solution to be further debated at the next full council.

New data shows the City gets $5.2 million annually from minor car parking offences after 26,000 fines in 2023-24.

A fine for parking on a yellow line, on a footpath or driveway ranges from $200 to $160. Councillors are considering reducing some fees.

But enforcement has split not only councillors but the community, with residents furious about parking on footpaths forcing them onto dangerous roads - and others about copping a fine.

Officers say they are bound by State-managed laws, which staffers enforce, prohibiting a driver stopping on a footpath or nature strip next to a length of road in a built-up area.

“While a high number of complaints are received regarding illegal verge parking, council has also received multiple complaints regarding the City’s enforcement approach,” officers said.

“Drivers argue parking on the verge, provides more road access for emergency vehicles and waste collection, eases congestion and maintains traffic flow through the area.”

Gold Coast City Council parking inspectors pictured booking cars for parking on the grass at the popular swiming beach at the Currumbin Creek seaway entrance.

The new data released by the City shows:

*A total of 5354 warnings were issued by City officers for illegal parking, with more than 25 per cent (1324) issued for illegal verge parking;

* A total of 178,803 illegal parking infringements were issued, with approximately 6 per cent (11,399) issued for illegal verge parking;

* A total of 23,132 appeals were received for infringements issued, with approximately 8 per cent (1873) relating to infringements issued for illegal verge parking;

In May and June 2024, two petitions were received by council requesting approval to park on the verge in Ben Lomond Drive, Highland Park and Merrilaine Crescent, Merrimac;

Australia Day 2023. Plenty of parking fines were dished out on Australia Day at Tallebudgera Creek. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Residents say narrow road width is not suitable for vehicles to park legally and in doing so creates access issues.

But officers in their report wrote: “Parking on the verge poses significant safety and accessibility risks to pedestrians, drivers, and the environment, which is why this type of parking is illegal in Queensland, unless signed otherwise. “

Councillor Mark Hammel, chairing planning committee debate, said it was “extraordinary” to get 20,000 complaints from ratepayers in the last financial year about blocking of verges.

“We have a responsibility as a local government to investigate those complaints and take action. In committee there was a lot of discussion about what we can and can’t do legally under the legislation that governs us.

“It’s been made very clear from officers that we can’t introduce a policy that is in conflict with the State legislation.

“We are trying to find how we can get the right settings, hopefully allowing some flexibility in certain areas, but not getting ourselves in a legal problem with the State Government.”

Gold Coast City Council parking fines at Broadbeach.

Councillors have flagged issues like allowances being given in rural areas for verge parking, settling the confusion around verges at crowded sporting fields and fixing problems in narrow streets when two cars were parked on each side.

Mr Hammel said road safety was the prime concern: “We have a responsibility to respond to complaints.

“A lot of the time we try to take an education response, the other figure that was clear was we don’t fine all the time.

“Most of the time we use it as an education exercise to let the owner of the vehicle there know ‘hey, you can’t park there all the time under the law’.

“But in some circumstances where it is a blatant abuse of the rules, or when they are repeat offenders, we don’t have a problem issuing the fine.”

The report said illegal verge parking caused rutting, damage and uneven surfaces which may be a trip hazard for pedestrians.

Underground services can be damaged by vehicles parking and repetitively driving over the verge.

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