Woman cops $574 in fines for parking on grass at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre
A visitor to the Gold Coast was shocked to receive almost $600 worth of fines in the post two weeks after her trip to the city. Here’s how she got stung so badly.
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A Toowoomba woman has copped $574 in parking fines after taking her 14-year-old son to a basketball tournament on the Gold Coast.
Tina Laughton, who is due to have surgery for a foot condition called plantar fasciitis that makes it painful for her to walk, was fined for parking on the grass at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on both Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30 when no other parking was available.
“The only parking available on both days was out on the road,” Ms Laughton said.
“I am unable to walk that distance due to my foot issues hence had no choice but to park on the grass. I cannot park in disability parking due to the difficulty in obtaining a permit.”
Ms Laughton said she was especially annoyed to receive fines for parking on successive days when no notices were placed on her vehicle.
“At the very least why wasn’t a ticket put on the first day so I would know for the second day,” Ms Laughton said.
“I would have got a friend to drive the car up the road for me.”
Council previously told the Bulletin that 68 drivers were fined at the 510-space Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on the Saturday Ms Laughton was issued a ticket.
The Champion Basketball School of Queensland tournament was taking place at the time, attended by thousands of people.
Ms Laughton said she was particularly annoyed to have been so heavily fined after spending money on four nights accommodation and at northern Gold Coast attractions.
“We paid each time we entered the Coomera sports stadium, paid for four days accommodation on the coast, my son visited Movie World and shopped at Harbour Town on numerous occasions with his friends and their parents,” Ms Laughton said.
“I injected a lot of money into the local economy which quite frankly has desperately needed it after Covid and that was the thanks we received. Two fines received in the mail a week later when we weren’t even aware that we had done anything wrong.”
Ms Laughton said she had appealed the fines citing her foot condition and is awaiting a reply from council.
‘THERE’S NOT ADEQUATE PARKING’: DAD FINED FOR PARKING AT SPORTS TOURNAMENT
A North Brisbane man who is a regular visitor to the Gold Coast says he is reluctant to return to the city again after being fined $287 for parking on a grass verge.
James Stay received the fine after bringing his 13-year-old son to a basketball tournament at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday, October 29.
Mr Stay was one of 68 people fined at the centre on the day, including 22 pinged for parking on the grass.
“I was there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I parked out the back on the first two days, it was pretty busy, but on Saturday I came back and it was extra busy,” he said.
“There were cars all up and down Beattie Rd, every nook and cranny was just jammed with cars.
“There must have been more than 50 basketball teams in the stadium, plus gymnastics and then there’s all the footy on the oval next door.
“There’s not adequate parking. And so it’s like, ‘where do you put your car?’ At the end of the car park there is a yellow line, so we don’t park on the yellow line, we get up onto the grassy area and leave our cars there.”
Mr Stay said he was “absolutely shocked” to receive an infringement notice in the post two weeks later.
“I was like, ‘why have I got a letter from the Gold Coast?’ Because there’s no warning, there’s no signs saying don’t park on the footpath or the gutter, there’s no bollards or chains. I haven’t driven around anything, I’ve just driven up on the kerb.
“If they want to charge 280 something bucks, when am I going to see improved carparking?
“I go down there every year multiple times, because we play basketball all year around and we always have tournaments down there.
“The overflow carpark out the back doesn’t even have lines painted on it.”
Mr Stay said he spent a lot of money at local businesses during his trips to the Gold Coast, but was now wary of returning.
“On the Thursday and Friday I drove up to Coomera Westfield to get food and do some shopping. I was spending money in the local area and supporting local businesses.
“On a previous event the year before me and my son stayed in the holiday rental at Hope Island for three nights.
“ … We’re all down there to support our kids and support the Gold Coast. Now I’m reluctant to bother going. I’ve got to go down to Carrara for an event on the 27th of November and I’m like, do I really want to go?”
A spokesperson for council said there were 510 parking spaces at the sports centre and “numerous signs” advising motorists of parking rules.
“There are 230 parking spaces at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, with an additional 280 carparks in the overflow car park,” the spokesperson said.
“Parking availability will depend on the size and type of event held at the venue.
“It is the responsibility of the hirer to give advice on parking to patrons attending their events held at the venue.
“There are also numerous signs located around the venue with parking instructions as well as yellow lines to indicate where parking is not permitted.
“On Saturday October 29, 7800 people attended the Champion Basketball School of Queensland tournament.
“A total of 68 safety based infringements were issued, including 22 for vehicles parked on the dividing strip.”
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