State Government fails to commit to extra car parks at Varsity Lakes train station on Gold Coast

IT’S been described as an ‘absolute mess’ and ‘disgrace’. This Gold Coast train station carpark is so overcrowded all parking spaces are gone by 9.30am. But authorities are ignoring repeated complaints.

Pensioner John Hansen has been slapped with a $157 fine after he parked in the wrong area close to Varsity Lakes Train Station. But there is literally nowhere to park as all 300 parks are used up before 9.30am in the morning. Photo by Richard Gosling

THERE are still no firm plans to increase permanent car parks at overcrowded Gold Coast train stations despite a flurry of complaints.

Pensioner John Hansen is among a bunch of students, tourists and locals who have complained after being stung for parking illegally when there were no parking bays available at the Varsity Lakes train station.

THE SUBURBS PARKING INSPECTORS ARE TARGETING

Mr Hansen, 68, said authorities had been spruiking public transport and so he and his wife decided to park at the local station before heading up to Brisbane by train last month.

“We tried to do the right thing and take public transport,” he said.

Pensioner John Hansen says he left early to find a car park- but couldn’t. Photo by Richard Gosling

“We had an appointment in Brisbane and we got (to the train station) early to top up our Go Card. We couldn’t find any car parks at either car park, it was that tight. We drove twice through both car parks thinking someone would have pulled out.

“We couldn’t park on Scottsdale Drive, we went deeper in and still couldn’t find anything.”

Fearing he might miss his appointment, Mr Hansen parked in a no-standing zone on Coromandel Lane — alongside dozens of other illegally parked cars — so that he could make it in time. It resulted in a $157 fine.

TWO HOUR PARKING DILEMMA FOR NURSES

Councillor Hermann Vorster told the Gold Coast Bulletin Mr Hansen was not alone, with at least five other complaints received.

Pensioner John Hansen outside of the area where a new car park could potentially be built — if the state government comes to the party. Photo by Richard Gosling

“It’s a disgrace, it’s an absolute mess,” he said, adding it had been an issue for ‘years’.

“The heavy rail network is managed by state government ... the car park was too small from day one.

“Because the M1 is cactus, people are forced onto rail.”

COUNCIL PLANS TO HIKE PARKING FEES AFTER GAMES

Cr Vorster said there was a parcel of land next door which state government could easily open to commuters simply by “opening the gates.”

State MP Ros Bates said she had also fielded numerous complaints, flagging the problem immediately when the station was built in 2010.

Mr Hansen has had enough of the car parking problem. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I get complaints on a fairly regular basis,” she said.

“They put in more car parks, but it’s still not enough. People still drive to Robina and get on the train there. But the hospital staff park there, so it has a domino effect.”

In a written statement to the Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said due to the high demand for park ‘n’ ride facilities across South East Queensland, it was “essential to prioritise investment where it will create the largest positive impact on the transport network, economic development or future land use outcomes.

“TMR is now considering options for this site in relation to future development of a Transit Orientated Development (TOD) and permanent park ‘n’ ride expansion.”

There will be an additional 1500 temporary car parks at Varsity Lakes during the Commonwealth Games which can be accessed by all commuters.