Southern Gold Coasters say parking restrictions after light rail will bury Burleigh businesses

Gold Coast residents have threatened to boycott Burleigh after council extended paid parking hours, with a survey showing just 12 per cent support the controversial changes.

Southern Gold Coast residents are threatening to boycott Burleigh over new council parking rules slammed as a “money grab”.

Consultation undertaken with more than 300 residents by Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster shows less than 12 per cent support council’s decision to bring parking restrictions forward from 9am to 7am.

But is has also sparked a war of words with former council colleague Glenn Tozer, who rejects Mr Vorster’s suggestion that parking signs would spread west to the hinterland.

“This is just another bull... way that GCCC is taking away its coastal charm. I’m so disappointed. ‘They paved paradise to put up a parking lot’ seems to ring true. Enough already,” a Palm Beach resident wrote in the survey.

Mr Vorster said the local area represented more than 86 per cent of responses and only 11.7 per cent of all people surveyed showed genuine support for the changes.

More than 13 per cent of residents said they intended to avoid Burleigh in future.

“It will impact the business owners and employees more than the public. I would be less inclined to go to Burleigh for a meal or to shop if I have to pay more to park,” a Varsity Lakes resident said.

Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster releases parking survey results. Picture: Supplied.

An Elanora resident wrote: “I won’t go to Burleigh anymore. It will be a sad loss of business there.”

Mr Vorster, a former councillor, said the parking changes had gone “horribly wrong” when area councillor Josh Martin gave clear warnings ignored by others during council debate.

“Starting paid parking at 7am is diabolical. It’s already backfired with local businesses reporting a sharp drop in trade,” he said.

“It couldn’t have come at a worse time. With light rail works already hurting the village, this feels like a complete kick in the guts.

“Locals feel betrayed. There was no consultation before this radical overhaul of parking charges was forced through.”

Council needed to scrap the early starts and late finishes to parking restrictions, he said.

A new parking sign in Burleigh. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“If they don’t, I have no doubt we will see the same parking meters rolled out in Mudgeeraba next,” he added.

Mr Tozer said extending paid parking to Mudgeeraba was not on the agenda.

“Whilst Mudgeeraba Village is indeed flourishing as an economic hub of the hinterland, former councillor Vorster’s devious comments about the introduction of paid parking seems more a personal political attack than based in any truth,” he said.

“The quaint village of Mudgeeraba is unlikely to be subject to paid parking any time soon, but our residents will continue to enjoy 50 cent bus fares if we want to go the beach.”

Burleigh Headland has been hit with 7am to 7pm paid parking. California visitor Stephen Taylor, although not surprised, thought it started rather early and was quite expensive. "It'll definitely put a hole in the budget", he said. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Vorster and Mr Martin will host a listening post at Memorial Park from 8.30am to 9.30am on Friday where locals can sign a petition.

WHAT RESIDENTS SAID

James Street business owners: “I didn’t hear from one council member personally visiting and checking in on local businesses or holding a meeting to hear from us how we would feel about this change. It just happened.”

Southport resident: “I have a business in Burleigh. I have been heavily impacted by the tram works. With revenue down $100k from the works. Now they have increased parking it is absolutely crazy.”

Burleigh Heads resident: “I live there. I oppose parking at all times. It’s a money grabbing council”.

Robina resident: “Thanks Gold Coast council for literally closing Burleigh to everyone including locals – what a pathetic money grab.”

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