Big twist in Gold Coast City Council controversial parking ticket debacle
City council has backflipped on a controversial parking rule which a local councillor said never should have been enforced in the first place. FIND OUT THE CHANGES
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City council has backflipped on a controversial parking rule which a local councillor said never should have been enforced in the first place.
In July, the Bulletin revealed Gold Coast City Council parking inspectors had cracked down on verge parking at Worongary’s Pioneer Downs Park.
But residents claimed it was putting lives at risk by forcing motorists to park cars and unload horse floats on the adjacent road because there were no designated car parks in the area.
Since then, the council has installed new signs at Pioneer Downs to allow verge parking.
Resident Nick Flanagan - who first highlighted his disapproval - said it was a good result for the community.
“Since the Gold Coast Bulletin story, the local councillor Glenn Tozer got involved and spoke to the powers that be to put some common sense into the local traffic management,” Mr Flanagan said.
“It’s taking the vehicles off the streets and safely parking them on the verge where not only horses can unload safely, but also parents of small children.”
Cr Tozer said verge parking at Pioneer Downs had been a common practice for many years.
“It would be fair to say that my personal views as councillor were probably at odds with the parking team on this issue,” he said.
“These now delivered signs mean residents who use Pioneer Downs for equine activity can now have confidence that verge parking is permitted in the relevant area.
“I met with council officers on site recently and we investigated more permanent options that might further improve the formality of that parking on the verge area, as well as discussed the playground, other park uses and families of kangaroos in the area.”
Parking on nature strips or verges is not permitted under section 197 of the Transport Operations Regulation 2009.
‘Lawfulness gone mad’: Hinterland residents slam parking rule - July 7
Hinterland residents say a council crackdown on nature strip parking is putting human and animal lives at risk, with one describing it as “lawfulness gone mad”.
Gold Coast City Council parking inspectors have been patrolling Worongary’s Pioneer Downs Park recently to monitor illegal parking on the nearby nature strip.
Motorists are now forced to park cars and unload horse floats on the adjacent road because there are no designated car parks in the area.
Pioneer Downs Park has a public horse dressage arena, a dog offleash area and a playground.
Worongary resident Nick Flanagan said locals had parked on the nature strip for more than 30 years without issue.
Photos have also emerged of council-branded cars illegally parked on the same nature strip.
“It is technically illegal under state law. We understand council is now enforcing the state law, which in itself is creating a danger,” Mr Flanagan said.
“Because cars now have to park on the road, we’ve got heavy trucks and cars passing in both directions while people are trying to unload horses on the road.”
Nearby residents Neville and Toni Stride said community safety was being put at risk for the sake of revenue raising.
“Council is quoting this state legislation about parking on footpaths and they’re hiding behind that at the moment. But what about the health and safety of the community?” Neville said.
Toni added: “I’m concerned about horses and people getting killed.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, described the situation as “lawfulness gone mad”.
A council spokeswoman said parking on nature strips was not permitted under section 197 of the Transport Operations Regulation 2009.
“Multiple complaints have been received regarding illegal parking in the area prompting patrols which have resulted in one infringement being issued in the last twelve months,” she said.
“The city acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the unloading and loading of horses and is working on developing a solution.”
Division 9 councillor Glenn Tozer said he had spoken to council traffic engineers about creating a safer parking solution.
“While it is technically unlawful to park on the verge in both acreage and urban areas, council is coming up with a unique solution in this location because of the park’s specific uses,” he said.
It’s not the first time the council has been criticised for enforcing the controversial parking rule.
In March, several Pacific Pines residents were slapped with a $110 fine for parking on their nature strips – which many did not realise was illegal.
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